Kenya Imposes New Restrictions and School Closures

To fight an increasing number of Covid-19 cases, the Kenya Government recently announced new restrictions. All schools, including Neema, have been ordered to shut down. Thankfully we learned a lot from last year's shutdown, and we have complete confidence in our staff in Kenya to make the best decisions for the students and their children once again.

1st - 2nd Year Students Return Home and 3rd Year Students Remain at Neema Shop

As of Thursday, April 1st, all first and second year students have been sent home with non-food items (sanitary pads, diapers for their babies, soap, oil, etc.). Third year students will continue working at the Neema shop as long as the shop is allowed to remain open and it’s safe to do so, and instructors Joyce and Eunice will be there with them. Our security team, house matrons, and childcare workers will remain on at the residential property to continue to look after our third year students and their children. 

Staff Work Remotely, Continue Phone Counseling, and Assess Possible Food Deliveries

The rest of the Neema staff will work remotely until the restrictions are eased and schools can safely reopen. They will make every effort possible to remain in contact with the young women of Neema and their families - checking in, offering counseling via phone, and making food deliveries if it's determined that’s needed. As you may know, many of our student’s guardians are casual workers who depend on a day's wage to feed their families. Whether or not they can continue to work remains to be seen. However, should we hear that our students and their families are going hungry because of an inability to work and/or access food as a result of the restrictions, we’re prepared to switch into relief mode and make food deliveries just like we did - with your help - during last year’s lockdown. 

We are grateful to you all, our faithful Neema community, for your continued support. Please join with us in praying for our students, their families, our staff, and all of Kenya as they enter this new phase of Covid restrictions.