Reducing the Impact of COVID-19 in Irhambi Katana
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COVID-19 has had a destructive impact on economies and healthcare all across the world. These impacts are more acutely in “poorer” countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even though the DRC is one of the most resource rich countries on earth, it has one of the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The authorities have now made it mandatory for everyone in the DRC to wear masks when going outside and the ones who do not comply, risk imprisonment. However, most families cannot afford to stay inside as they heavily rely on agriculture and manual labour to generate income. Similar to other parts of the world, the mask supply is limited and much of what is available is subject to horrendous price gouging. To counter this, we are raising money to manufacture more masks to support these communities and potentially save thousands of lives through a partnership with two locally active and engaged non-profit organizations in the groupement of Irhambi Katana. Our goal is to ultimately fundraise $10,000 CAD in order to help the two local organizations manufacture 7,000 masks. That would mean that we would be able to distribute 1000 masks per each locality. To put it into the perspective, this means that 7000 families would be able to go to work and generate income, 7000 families would be able to feed their children, 7000 families would be able to have access to water, 7000 families who might be able to share their resources with their neighbours during this hard time.
100% of the donations made will be used towards making the masks (Blog Post: https://www.irhambikatana.org/covid-19-prevention-campaign/).
FULL STORY...
COVID-19 has caused an alarmingly destructive impact on the economy and healthcare all across the world. We have witnessed some of the world’s most developed countries shut down in the states of emergency, build new hospitals, and impose lockdown measures due to the overwhelm of the pandemic. Luckily, living in the developed country means we have access to emergency funds and employment insurance, health care, access to basic living needs, such as clean water and soap, as well as access to the ventilator if our life was to become compromised by the disease.
PROBLEM
Unfortunately, the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country known for being one of the poorest countries in the world, destroyed by war, natural disasters, and economic crisis, is becoming overwhelmed with the pandemic. Major cities, such as the capital Kinshasa, have less than 15 respirators available. The authorities have made it mandatory for everyone to wear masks as of April 20th, and the ones who do not obey, risk imprisonment.
In the Groupement of Irhambi Katana over 80% of the citizens do not have access to clean water and rely on lakes and rivers. To top it off, the majority of the population lives on less than $3 a day and the prices of basic cleaning supplies and food have skyrocketed by up to 200%. Over 90% of the Irhambi Katana’s citizens generate income from agriculture, meaning both their survival and income depend on them getting out of the house. People who stay at home risk losing their children to thirst and hunger, yet, leaving the house without a mask puts them at risk of imprisonment and/or catching the illness.
Currently, the mortality rate in DRC is 4%, which is significantly higher than the rest of the world. If capital cities such as Kinshasa are struggling with supplies and meeting medical demand, imagine rural areas such as the Groupement of Irhambi Katana! In fact, they are at significantly higher risk of losing thousands of lives. There are already many fundraisers designed for citizens living in big cities; however, barely any for the millions living in the rural areas, who do not have the means of to transport and/or distribute supplies from bigger cities
THE GROUPEMENT OF IRHAMBI KATANA
Due to lack of resources and inadequate infrastructure, the Groupement of Irhambi Katana initiated its own campaign, led by their local leader Chief Bigomokero III Katana Francky, in partnership with two local non-profit organizations {Accompagnement des Femmes, Filles et Enfants Délaissés (AFED) and l’Union des Etudiants Ressortissants de Katana ( UEKA)}. They have begun manufacturing protective masks made of cloths, and help distribute water in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Unfortunately, the government announced that quarantine measures will be prolonged till at least June and it has become increasingly difficult to continue manufacturing the masks. One of the partners at La Connexional is originally from the groupmenet of Ihrambi Katana and has personally been involved with the two aforementioned local organizations that have been doing essential and important work in these communities for many years.
The initial campaign was launched on May 6, 2020, at the Katana local market, situated in the centre of Irhambi Katana, where the locally handmade masks were distributed to the citizens and drivers of motorcycle taxis. The organizations produced 400 handmade masks, which were all distributed for free. The campaign was launched with an educational awareness seminar, which was designed to educate the citizens on the hygienic preventative measures that must be taken, as well as the current pandemic situation and the risks of the COVID-19.
Due to Irhambi Katana consisting of 7 localities (Mwanda, Kahungu, Kabushwa, Mabingu, Kadjuchu & Kabamba) and a population of approximately 200,000 citizens, 400 masks is not nearly enough to contribute to this important cause. La Connexional’s objective is to ultimately fundraise 10,000 in order to help the two local organizations manufacture 7,000 masks. That would mean that we would be able to distribute 1000 masks per each locality. To put it into the perspective, this means that 7000 families would be able to go to work and generate income, 7000 families would be able to feed their children, 7000 families would be able to have access to water, 7000 families who might be able to share their resources with their neighbours during this hard time. Considering that an average family in DRC consists of 5 members, we have a potential to save at least 35,000 lives, which is approximately 18% of Irhambi Katana’s population. Lastly, the labour involved in the production of the masks will mainly consist of youth and women, helping to fight against youth unemployment and contribute towards women empowerment.
HOW WILL WE DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS?
We must note that 100% of the donations will be used for the cause.
None of the leaders of the organizations involved nor La Connexional will be gaining a profit.
The donations will be used for the following exemplary expenses:
Manufacturing:
Sewing machines
Fabric
Elastic bands
Sewing supplies
Tailors
Distribution:
Transportation
Hygienic Supplies:
Latex Gloves
Locally produced hand soap
Locally produced hand sanitizer
Others
Thermometers
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
We are La Connexional, a social enterprise which strives to showcase the talents and contributions of the African, Caribbean, and Latinx communities in Canada through a variety of mediums, focusing on building networking and entrepreneurial opportunities, multicultural understanding, awareness-raising, cultural education, social inclusion and social integration.
*For more information, refer to the website and social media accounts listed below
Accompagnement des Femmes, Filles et Enfants Délaissés (AFED): a local Irhambi Katana non-profit organization which aims to support orphaned women, girls and children in the process of sustainable socio-economic and cultural empowerment.
l’Union des Etudiants Ressortissants de Katana ( UEKA): is a youth non-profit organization consisting of students who focus on inclusion, integration and succession of students of Irhambi Katana, and who pursue actionable causes to contribute to the development of the local community.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Published media article: https://www.radiomaendeleo.info/sante/kabare-sous-linitiative-de-bigomokero-francky-une-campagne-de-lutte-contre-le-covid-lancee-a-irhambi/
Blog Post: https://www.irhambikatana.org/covid-19-prevention-campaign/
Irhambi Katana Organization: https://www.irhambikatana.org/
La Connexional Website: https://www.laconnexional.com/
Social Media: https://instagram.com/laconnexional
100% of the donations made will be used towards making the masks (Blog Post: https://www.irhambikatana.org/covid-19-prevention-campaign/).
FULL STORY...
COVID-19 has caused an alarmingly destructive impact on the economy and healthcare all across the world. We have witnessed some of the world’s most developed countries shut down in the states of emergency, build new hospitals, and impose lockdown measures due to the overwhelm of the pandemic. Luckily, living in the developed country means we have access to emergency funds and employment insurance, health care, access to basic living needs, such as clean water and soap, as well as access to the ventilator if our life was to become compromised by the disease.
PROBLEM
Unfortunately, the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country known for being one of the poorest countries in the world, destroyed by war, natural disasters, and economic crisis, is becoming overwhelmed with the pandemic. Major cities, such as the capital Kinshasa, have less than 15 respirators available. The authorities have made it mandatory for everyone to wear masks as of April 20th, and the ones who do not obey, risk imprisonment.
In the Groupement of Irhambi Katana over 80% of the citizens do not have access to clean water and rely on lakes and rivers. To top it off, the majority of the population lives on less than $3 a day and the prices of basic cleaning supplies and food have skyrocketed by up to 200%. Over 90% of the Irhambi Katana’s citizens generate income from agriculture, meaning both their survival and income depend on them getting out of the house. People who stay at home risk losing their children to thirst and hunger, yet, leaving the house without a mask puts them at risk of imprisonment and/or catching the illness.
Currently, the mortality rate in DRC is 4%, which is significantly higher than the rest of the world. If capital cities such as Kinshasa are struggling with supplies and meeting medical demand, imagine rural areas such as the Groupement of Irhambi Katana! In fact, they are at significantly higher risk of losing thousands of lives. There are already many fundraisers designed for citizens living in big cities; however, barely any for the millions living in the rural areas, who do not have the means of to transport and/or distribute supplies from bigger cities
THE GROUPEMENT OF IRHAMBI KATANA
Due to lack of resources and inadequate infrastructure, the Groupement of Irhambi Katana initiated its own campaign, led by their local leader Chief Bigomokero III Katana Francky, in partnership with two local non-profit organizations {Accompagnement des Femmes, Filles et Enfants Délaissés (AFED) and l’Union des Etudiants Ressortissants de Katana ( UEKA)}. They have begun manufacturing protective masks made of cloths, and help distribute water in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Unfortunately, the government announced that quarantine measures will be prolonged till at least June and it has become increasingly difficult to continue manufacturing the masks. One of the partners at La Connexional is originally from the groupmenet of Ihrambi Katana and has personally been involved with the two aforementioned local organizations that have been doing essential and important work in these communities for many years.
The initial campaign was launched on May 6, 2020, at the Katana local market, situated in the centre of Irhambi Katana, where the locally handmade masks were distributed to the citizens and drivers of motorcycle taxis. The organizations produced 400 handmade masks, which were all distributed for free. The campaign was launched with an educational awareness seminar, which was designed to educate the citizens on the hygienic preventative measures that must be taken, as well as the current pandemic situation and the risks of the COVID-19.
Due to Irhambi Katana consisting of 7 localities (Mwanda, Kahungu, Kabushwa, Mabingu, Kadjuchu & Kabamba) and a population of approximately 200,000 citizens, 400 masks is not nearly enough to contribute to this important cause. La Connexional’s objective is to ultimately fundraise 10,000 in order to help the two local organizations manufacture 7,000 masks. That would mean that we would be able to distribute 1000 masks per each locality. To put it into the perspective, this means that 7000 families would be able to go to work and generate income, 7000 families would be able to feed their children, 7000 families would be able to have access to water, 7000 families who might be able to share their resources with their neighbours during this hard time. Considering that an average family in DRC consists of 5 members, we have a potential to save at least 35,000 lives, which is approximately 18% of Irhambi Katana’s population. Lastly, the labour involved in the production of the masks will mainly consist of youth and women, helping to fight against youth unemployment and contribute towards women empowerment.
HOW WILL WE DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS?
We must note that 100% of the donations will be used for the cause.
None of the leaders of the organizations involved nor La Connexional will be gaining a profit.
The donations will be used for the following exemplary expenses:
Manufacturing:
Sewing machines
Fabric
Elastic bands
Sewing supplies
Tailors
Distribution:
Transportation
Hygienic Supplies:
Latex Gloves
Locally produced hand soap
Locally produced hand sanitizer
Others
Thermometers
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
We are La Connexional, a social enterprise which strives to showcase the talents and contributions of the African, Caribbean, and Latinx communities in Canada through a variety of mediums, focusing on building networking and entrepreneurial opportunities, multicultural understanding, awareness-raising, cultural education, social inclusion and social integration.
*For more information, refer to the website and social media accounts listed below
Accompagnement des Femmes, Filles et Enfants Délaissés (AFED): a local Irhambi Katana non-profit organization which aims to support orphaned women, girls and children in the process of sustainable socio-economic and cultural empowerment.
l’Union des Etudiants Ressortissants de Katana ( UEKA): is a youth non-profit organization consisting of students who focus on inclusion, integration and succession of students of Irhambi Katana, and who pursue actionable causes to contribute to the development of the local community.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Published media article: https://www.radiomaendeleo.info/sante/kabare-sous-linitiative-de-bigomokero-francky-une-campagne-de-lutte-contre-le-covid-lancee-a-irhambi/
Blog Post: https://www.irhambikatana.org/covid-19-prevention-campaign/
Irhambi Katana Organization: https://www.irhambikatana.org/
La Connexional Website: https://www.laconnexional.com/
Social Media: https://instagram.com/laconnexional
Organizer
La Connexional
Organizer
Edmonton, AB
