We are in a very uncertain situation as the COVID-19 virus affects people all around the globe. Our highest priority is to make decisions that will keep our staff, students and everyone in the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) community safe. Our second-highest priority is to weather this storm so we can continue to support the education of students after this crisis passes. These priorities inform our decisions.
The government of Kenya has taken the aggressive stand of mandating all schools in Kenya to close this week. The government has further requested that to the extent possible employees work from home and gatherings be suspended. While the number of cases in Kenya is limited, the government clearly understands the dire implications to the population and health care infrastructure if this virus gains a foothold. We must do our best to comply with the Kenyan government and public health mandates.
In the United States, similar steps have been taken. Most people are now working remotely, travel is very limited and gatherings are not happening in person. We expect the global economic impact of this pandemic to be profound and long-lasting.
Ngong Road Children’s Foundation Actions
At NRCF the following steps will be taken, effective immediately, and will be in place until further notice:
- Caseworkers will suspend home and school visits
- Staff hours will be reduced, keeping a skeleton staff in the office to handle issues and meet with stakeholders by appointment for urgent matters
- The Saturday Programme, as a gathering of more than 50 people has been suspended
- Library and computer lab access is suspended. We are evaluating options for making these resources available by appointment and will communicate with you if and when we are able to allow access.
- “Holiday lunch” cannot be provided while students are home from school.
- Food aid for families in need is available for the neediest. To receive food aid, please contact your caseworker (phone numbers below) and they will provide instruction.
Guidance for students, parents, and guardians
- Please do not come to the office without first phoning your caseworker to agree on an appointment time and avoid congregating or waiting at the office for any reason.
- To contact your NRCF caseworker, please phone them with questions or concerns and they will do their best to respond.
- All boarding students and those staying in hostels or receiving other support while at school are expected to return home – living expenses will not be supported by NRCF while school is out. Exceptions for students with unique situations can be made by caseworkers.
- Continue to contact your caseworker for urgent medical referrals such as significant injuries or emergencies. However, for suspected viral infections with symptoms that resemble the flu, colds or suspected coronavirus, please do not contact your caseworker but rather follow the Health Ministry guidelines and seek medical support directly.
Keep yourself safe and be informed
- To the extent possible, practice social distancing. Try not to be within 6 feet of others, avoid crowded places and, if possible, work from home.
- If you or members of your family feel unwell, stay home. If you believe you have coronavirus or have been exposed to someone with the virus, access the health system and seek testing.
- This virus spreads rapidly and a person can have the virus and be transmitting it to others, yet not be displaying symptoms. That is one of the most challenging dimensions of this virus and has led to exponential increases in cases in countries like Italy and the United States.
- Clean hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face and cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
- COVID-19 Hot Lines in 🇰🇪Kenya: 0800721316 (Toll-Free); 0729471414; 0732353535
Future Ngong Road Children’s Foundation Communications
- We will update the NRCFKenya.org website weekly with any new information we have available for students and families.
- When we learn important information we will share it with you by SMS.
- If you have questions, please convey them to your caseworker and we will do our best to respond.
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