The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading in Africa. More people are being infected and vaccinated. In Rwanda, there has been increased public health activity to screen people for infection and to vaccinate those most vulnerable. For example, older people and some health workers have been vaccinated in hopes of reducing the impact of the virus.
In our communities, the new lockdowns have led to the loss of regular employment for many people. In turn, after a few weeks, their food supplies have dwindled and again they have faced hunger. Luckily, we have been able to coordinate food distribution with local government officials. Because of their foresight, aid workers have been able to continue distribution efforts despite curfews and travel restrictions. Our team has been able to distribute tons of food to the village of Masoro and more recently the village of Cyaruzinge.
In addition, the local government recruited us to provide support for families who have been particularly hit by the infection and needed to be isolated because of that. They were facing starvation and our team was able to bring much-needed food supplies to them.
While the country continues to respond vigorously to the challenges of this infection there remains much to do. We are continuing to work with our partners in country to meet these challenges. We are grateful for the donations of our generous supporters because these donations have been the difference between starvation and survival for many mothers, and infants.
Thank you all for making this work possible!
.
Links:
Dear Pygmy Survival Alliance Supporters,
Cyaruzinge Village Progress Report
July 30, 2021
By Perrilee Pizzini - Project Leader
All of the homes have Electricity. This has changed their place in the District, giving them status with the Government. Thank You Local 46 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Covid-19 is still a trial. Lockdowns, they are not allowed to leave the District, which limits the ability to do day-labor. Everyone must be home by 5 pm. Still, Covid is spreading. Only 3% of the people in Rwanda have been vaccinated. All of the doses are distributed as soon as they arrive in the country. Hunger is upon them; we are again bringing food to the people of Cyaruzinge and Masoro
The villagers are excited to share with you all of the progress that has been made by groups within the village and individuals. They are learning the skills so they can fix their homes themselves.
The rain finally did stop and the bricks have been made for the Amakondera community kitchen that has been designed to Feed the Children. We have enough bricks made and stockpiled to make the kitchen and our hope is to start the program when school opens in September. It has been arranged to install electricity and plumbing to the new kitchen as well.
This Kitchen to Feed the Children has inspired the community to make more bricks so they can add to the wealth of the community by building more outdoor kitchens. For the 52 homes, there have been only five kitchens. They have the skills to build the kitchens, but not the money for the roofing and the door. We are excited that they have taken the lead to ask for this assistance with their project to improve their lives.
Repairs are needed on an existing kitchen that was damaged in the hail storm last winter, needs a new roof and a protective coating over the brick walls.
Irerero (the nursery school) finished out the school year with the children happy and celebrating their accomplishments. (See attached video of children parading with glee.)
The six people who received micro-loans are pleased with the progress they are making with their businesses.
Four young mothers have started sewing vocational classes. Two teens have been sent to a live-in vocational school for welding. Welding safety equipment including shoes, gloves, and goggles was delivered to Mugabo and Charis.
Three young women have finished their beautician classes and now two are doing internships with a salon owner; the third is now pregnant and will wait until after the baby is born to do an internship. When they have their certification as qualified beauticians they will open a salon.
The other trade school students are continuing their education, however, because of the lockdown, there are many times the schools are closed stretching out the length of time of completing the course.
The brochette stick business continues but it is now slowed because of the Covid lockdown.
The children continue to play football (soccer) in the community square. Preparing for team events when Covid restrictions allow gatherings.
Claude wants to thank everyone who contributed to the purchase of his auto. It has contributed greatly to his ability to do the work to help the community help themselves.
The elder people in Rwanda have been given the COVID-19 vaccine and that includes the old people in the Cyaruzinge community. They were pleasantly surprised because they are Batwa, the forgotten people in history. Exciting and uplifting to not be discriminated against. Their standing as people has risen within Rwanda which leads to them believing they are worthy of educating their children.
No one in the Village has gotten sick with Covid-19 because they work at staying safe by social distancing.
Links:
Dear Pygmy Survival Alliance Supporters,
Cyaruzinge Village Progress Report
July 30, 2021
By Perrilee Pizzini - Project Leader
All of the homes have Electricity. This has changed their place in the District, giving them status with the Government. Thank You Local 46 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Covid-19 is still a trial. Lockdowns, they are not allowed to leave the District, which limits the ability to do day-labor. Everyone must be home by 5 pm. Still, Covid is spreading. Only 3% of the people in Rwanda have been vaccinated. All of the doses are distributed as soon as they arrive in the country. Hunger is upon them; we are again bringing food to the people of Cyaruzinge and Masoro. (Picture of Claude delivering food.)
The villagers are excited to share with you all of the progress that has been made by groups within the village and individuals. They are learning the skills so they can fix their homes themselves.
The rain finally did stop and the bricks have been made for the Amakondera community kitchen. This inspired the community to make more bricks so they can add to the wealth of the community by building more outdoor kitchens. For the 52 homes, there have been only five kitchens. They have the skills to build the kitchens, but not the money for the roofing and the door. We are excited that they have taken the lead to ask for this assistance with their project to improve their lives.
Repairs are needed on an existing kitchen that was damaged in the hail storm last winter, needs a new roof and a protective coating over the brick walls. (Picture of a woman sitting in front of her kitchen.)
Irerero (the nursery school) finished out the school year with the children happy and celebrating their accomplishments. (See attached video of children parading with glee.)
The six people who received micro-loans are pleased with the progress they are making with their businesses. (Picture of women)
Four young mothers have started sewing vocational classes. Two teens have been sent to a live-in vocational school for welding. Welding safety equipment including shoes, gloves, and goggles was delivered to Mugabo and Charis.
Three young women have finished their beautician classes and now two are doing internships with a salon owner; the third is now pregnant and will wait until after the baby is born to do an internship. When they have their certification as qualified beauticians they will open a salon.
The other trade school students are continuing their education, however, because of the lockdown, there are many times the schools are closed stretching out the length of time of completing the course. ( Show picture of the two women with the instructor for the internship.)
The brochette stick business continues but it is now slowed because of the Covid lockdown.
The children continue to play football (soccer) in the community square. Preparing for team events when Covid restrictions allow gatherings.
Claude wants to thank everyone who contributed to the purchase of his auto. It has contributed greatly to his ability to do the work to help the community help themselves.
The elder people in Rwanda have been given the COVID-19 vaccine and that includes the old people in the Cyaruzinge community. They were pleasantly surprised because they are Batwa, the forgotten people in history. Exciting and uplifting to not be discriminated against. Their standing as people has risen within Rwanda which leads to them believing they are worthy of educating their children.
No one in the Village has gotten sick with Covid-19 because they work at staying safe by social distancing.
Links:
