The effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt countrywide and pastoralist communities have been identified to be in the high-risk of infection category. Kajiado and Narok Counties are cosmopolitan counties and home to a significant number of the pastoralist community. Mary Ndung’u, Bethel Network Director, accompanied by Gideon Makumi recently delivered cartons of soap generously provided by Pwani Oil Limited. The soaps were received for onward distribution by Everline Monirei a community mobilizer, at the Chief’s office in Kiserian location. A similar amount of product including Always sanitary products were delivered to Narok and received for distribution by Mary Silantoi of Naaisho Women Group in Narok.
“The government has told us in order to protect ourselves from the Coronavirus, one of the things we need to do, is to was our hands thoroughly with soap and water and the soap we have received will help our community members,” said Everline. “At the manyattas, the families may have water but soap can be a challenge and these few cartons will go a long way towards ensuring the families which need them most can protect themselves from Coronavirus.”
Mary Silantoi spoke of the challenges that the adolescent girls faced because of their parents’ reduced livelihoods opportunities. COVID-19 has negatively impacted the livelihood aspect of the pastoralist community, making families demote acquisition of sanitary and hygiene products. “Parents are facing a real challenge providing food for their families and as a result, there is no money left to buy sanitary and hygiene products. This has put the girls in a difficult position and some can opt for transactional relationships with older men and this puts them at a risk of getting pregnant. These products offer a lifeline to the girls and their parents and we are very grateful for the assistance.”
Everline and her team of women groups have been conducting door to door campaigns within Kajiado County and are targeting to reach 1,000 families. Mary commended their efforts and encouraged them to soldier on reiterating Bethel’s support. “You know that Bethel Network is not new in Kajiado, we have been conducting activities in schools within the menstrual hygiene framework and we are looking to do even more with women and women groups.”
Mary added, “We understand the challenges that pastoralist communities face and the importance of having basic hygiene items such as soap and other hygiene products especially at a challenging time as this. We understand the difficult decision between getting food or sanitary or hygiene products and we will do all we can to ensure families can have both. As Bethel we will continue to look internally as well as partners such as Pwani Oil Limited and P&G to ensure provision of these important products during these testing times.”
