COVID 19 has impacted on our capacity to deliver services in many ways. We partner with communities through volunteers to reach out to vulnerable people. Communities come together to raise funds for supporting a person with mental illness to get quality health care or a needy child to access quality education, for putting up a house for a homeless person, or for organizing thanksgiving services to celebrate the community’s solidarity. Under COVID 19 these gatherings are not possible anymore which has put our abilities to effectively engage our communities at risk. 

We are committed to continuing securing our communities from COVID-19, especially in the poor neighbourhoods. For this reason, we joined hands with L'Arche Kenya, Talitha Kum Children's Home,  Fondazione Fontana Onlus and Fondation Assistance Internationale in installing hand-washing facilities for public use. Thanks to the County Government of Laikipia, these tanks are always refilled with water. Kindly make use of these facilities. Wash your hands frequently so that together we control the spread of COVID-19.

Mubia village. is populated by Turukanas, a minority within Laikipia county. The remote village is particularly vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic as economic opportunities are few. Therefore, the Emergency Relief Programme of St. Martin took a special effort to support it.

The restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus have disrupted many lives. Especially people who are vulnerable and already facing many problems found themselves in peril very quickly. For example, Janet and her mother, who were evicted from their house, or Daniel, who at the age of 18 had to take charge of his family, or Margaret and her 13 grandchildren. The Stawisha Jamii - Emergency Response Project (ERP) of St. Martin CSA reaches out to help these people.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many lives - and the vulnerable groups in our communities are hit particularly. When shops have to close and travel activities are reduced many small jobs and casual labour are not available anymore. Without this small source of income, many families don't know how to get food. Therefore, St. Martin CSA in collaboration with the Laikipia County Government, L'Arche Kenya and Talitha Kum has initiated an Emergency Response Project to alleviate the needs of the most vulnerable families.

The coronavirus pandemic affects also the work of St. Martin CSA. With the lockdown and social distancing, many of our usual activities had to be halted or re-organised. And at the same time, new needs appear in the communities that need to be addressed. Simon Maina, coordinator of the Community Programme for Children in Need, explains how his team is dealing with the situation.

The beneficiaries of St. Martin CSA belong for the most part to the high-risk group regarding the new coronavirus. Therefore and in accordance with the measures taken by the Kenyan government, we have taken a series of steps to ensure the safety of our beneficiaries and our staff with the aim of still being able to serve the community.