Summer In Uganda During A Global Pandemic 💫 🌍 🌻

Jun 25

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Dear Friends,

We hope this finds you well. Even though COVID-19 is still in our midst, summer is officially here and that's something to celebrate! While it may look a little different this year, we're still grateful for the warmer weather and longer, sun-soaked days. As you know, we kicked off the season with our first-ever Virtual Awareness Week, and even though it was only a few weeks ago so much has happened both in Uganda, and the U.S. since the closing celebration.

I'm excited to share that Action In Africa has officially returned to its Colorado roots! The COVID-19 pandemic has been a unique, scary, emotional experience for many of us, and in these challenging months we've had time to reflect...

For me, quarantine revealed that it was time to come home. After three and a half beautiful years in Uganda, and two and a half in Washington, D.C., I couldn't be more enthusiastic to permanently return to Colorado - the community where Action In Africa was born, and the community that continues to show up for our organization. So Colorado friends, I hope to see you all soon!

In some ways it feels like life is returning to normal, but there is still a long road ahead of us. Much of life in Uganda is still on lockdown and many remain unable to meet their family's basic needs. Action In Africa's emergency response via Quarantine Kits has been remarkable. In the past six weeks we've helped more than 2,625 people by delivering more than 450 Quarantine Kits. We continue to assess the situation and deliver kits to the most vulnerable families in the community, with the support of our local government leaders.

If you haven't already, please consider making a donation towards Action in Africa’s Quarantine Kits. Each kit is $35 and provides one family (4-6 people) with 2+ weeks worth of life-saving supplies!

GIVE A QUARANTINE KIT

Just as we move through phases of reopening here in the US, Action In Africa is moving into a new phase in our COVID-19 response. While providing emergency aid is still our top priority, we are now in the process of developing distance learning tools for our Primary 7 (P7) students. This is an exciting new development for students and teachers alike. With schools closed for the foreseeable future many of the schools we work with in Uganda cannot afford to keep their teachers employed. In response to this problem Action In Africa is able to step in in a productive, meaningful way. The AIA leadership team in Uganda is spearheading a pilot program that will work with teachers from our partner schools to provide educational materials and instruction to P7 students!

This new initiative will directly impact 12 teachers and more than 170 P7 students in Nakuwadde. This program will be a hugely collaborative effort, with teachers from different schools working together to educate and prepare P7 students for national examinations (once they are administered again). Teachers will travel to students' homes to hand-deliver learning packets, meet parents, and offer support during these difficult times. Teachers will also be paid to correct and grade homework assignments. All interactions will be safe and socially distant.

AIA staff meeting with the local government leaders and teachers from our partner schools.

We are excited for the tremendous potential this new initiative has to help hundreds of students continue their education. We anticipate launching the program in the coming two weeks and plan to continue administering it through the rest of 2020.

As we celebrate the arrival of summer we ask that you keep us in mind, and if you can we hope you'll join us as we continue to respond to the ongoing challenges in Uganda. Your contributions make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable families and youth in Nakuwadde. Thank you!

With Gratitude,
Sarah Nininger and The Action in Africa Team

GIVE NOW

P.S. As we all continue to navigate life in the midst of a global pandemic, our team in Uganda wanted to send you some encouragement. We hope you enjoy it.
Stay Healthy, Stay Positive, Stay Home!