KENYANS INSPIRING RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Above video: Chakula Kenyan style by Tamu Tamu Restuarant in distribution to the frontline

​ We continue to share inspiring stories of Kenyans in the diaspora as they join hands to help in the fight against COVID-19. In this newsletter we learn about Kenyans in the frontline, serving from their homes or volunteering in many ways. 
Monica Gakuo, a specialist public health nurse and the team from Tamu Tamu, a Kenyan owned restaurant,  have   adapted their skills to serve in the most effective way during the pandemic. We applaud them and all other Kenyans out there utilising their skills to make a difference.

PROVIDING SOCIAL PROTECTION IN LOCK DOWN

​Almost 8 weeks have passed since the Prime Minister announced the lockdown to minimize the spread of the coronavirus during this unprecedented pandemic. For many, this has meant working from home, usually with many challenges and having to quickly change the way we do things. 
Monica Gakuo is a specialist community public health nurse and works in schools in Ealing as a safeguarding specialist, focusing on child protection, health promotion and education among school children ages 5 – 19 years. The lockdown has meant that Monica cannot go to the schools and meet her clients in the usual way. Like many, she has had to work from home. This arrangement has resulted in many anxious parents calling regarding symptoms of their children with long term conditions, who are managed in the community. This has totally changed the way she works and she has had to quickly adopt to new ways of doing things. Her usual face to face interactions and contacts with the families are now virtual and limiting in many ways. During this trying period, Monica has seen a notable increase in new cases and a deterioration of some, which she attributes to the limited interactions with her clients. In one case, a parent with an autistic child shared with her how they were depressed and sleepless they were, as they now have to support their child  24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although schools remained open for such families, it has not always been easy to attend because of other challenges. For many of these families, Monica is the glue, providing much needed support and guidance.
We applaud Monica, and appreciate the amazing contribution she has been able to make for many families in the constricts of her home during this pandemic and lockdown.  As the lockdown eases and more of these children are able to go back to school, Monica can continue providing the much needed support in person. 

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VOLUNTEERING TIME AND RESOURCES TO FEED OUR FRONTLINE

Volunteers play an essential role, and have been in the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals and communities have come out to volunteer their time and resources at this critical time. Whether it is providing support to the elderly and other vulnerable people through regular phone calls, shopping or collecting medicines, preparing and distributing food to the NHS and other, or supporting in other ways, all play a vital role.

Mr Dipesh Shah a fellow Kenyan from Eldoret and owner of Tamu Tamu, a vegetarian catering company, with a Kenyan twist based on Mollison way, Edgware has been, in true Kenyan spirit supporting our front line heroes since the lock down by preparing and distributing over 1000 meal boxes to:

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• Homeless
• Elderly
• Northwick Park Hospital A&E,  Covid wards: Elgar, Crick, Darvin  and Maternity
• Barnet general Hospital
• Watford general hospital
• Charing cross Hospital​

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• Charing cross police
• Soho fire station
• Chelsea fire station
• Kenton Ambulance
• Colindale police station
• Wembley Police
• Wembley Fire Station​

• Northolt Fire Station
  
• Willesden fire station
  
• South Harrow Police 
  
• Stanmore Fire Station
  
• St Lukes Hospice Kenton
  
• Kensington police
• Hammersmith fire station

We celebrate this  amazing accomplishment from our brother from Eldoret. We are grateful to  Tamu Tamu and all others who are volunteering their time and resources during these trying times. 

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WE REMEMBER

We know many Kenyans are affected by COVID-19.  
We wish all those who are undergoing treatment, speedy recovery, and offer encouragement and support to those who are caring for sick loved ones.  
We also remember all those who have lost their lives to COVID19. Our thoughts are with the families and friends at this difficult time.  ​

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