Although the COVID lockdown has ended in Rwanda, our families are still struggling with issues related to the pandemic. Schools have significantly increased fees to cover sanitation, masks and physical changes to accommodate social distancing. In addition, our Executive Director has been unable to travel to Rwanda to bring in fabric for the Umva dyeing efforts. Without the ability to dye the Umva textiles for us to sell on their behalf, the dyers have lost their monthly income.
We have worked with our families for 8 years to provide education, trade and job skills so they can earn real income. During the pandemic they have lost that income and therefore their ability to buy food and pay rent. In addition, schools have imposed charges to cover sanitation, masks, and physical distancing costs.
By providing temporary supplemental support, we can help these families get through this short term situation until they can begin earning income again.
This effort can help prevent these families from the potentially severe impacts of hunger, malnutrition and homelessness.
