Changemakers 365 is back in Nakivale and we are focused on providing things the staff needs for COVID-19 preparation. We’ve been hard at work setting up an isolation space that is comfortable and human worthy. As everyone in the world is experiencing right now, two weeks is quite a long time to be apart for everything and so we want to make these spaces as comfortable as possible. We had already added beds to these isolation spaces, so the natural next step was blankets! Our team procured 30 blankets so that during their stay, patients will be comfortable and warm as they recover. This is a great example of how simple changes that add up to a huge difference in the lives of those we serve. “CM365 has always been our hope in Nakivale, we are always grateful for their immediate intervention in the community concerns and this has made our working more simplified and effective in all aspects, thank you to changemaker team,” said Rebecca the team lead. This change made possible by … [Read more...] about Not Just a Blanket Fix
Changemakers365
Amplifying Awareness
Today our global COVID-19 response is all about spreading awareness. In places like Nakivale, many people are not aware of the virus, it’s effects or preventative measures. Our teams also noticed how much misinformation about the virus is being spread, things like Ugandan’s cannot get the virus. Our teams came up with a great idea to spread information easily. At the reception center, the place that refugees first enter the camp, the teams knew they could help spread correct information about the virus if they just had a way! Their idea - megaphones! These megaphones allow them to spread important messages about handwashing, social distancing, and about proper action to take if you think you have the virus. Thanks to our quick-acting staff, the megaphones are in daily use and the health messages are being spread. Well done Nakivale crew and excellent work keeping the community safe! This change made possible by Tradition Capital Bank. … [Read more...] about Amplifying Awareness
Sleeping Sound and Separate
Today’s COVID-19 response brings us to Nakivale Uganda. As preparation begins for COVID-19 response in Nakivale our staff identified an issue. With the number one way to prevent the spread of the virus being social distancing, we needed a place for quarantine. A space that we can immediately transfer cases to the quarantine space which will reduce on the risk of spread and should any positive cases arise. Once we had found the place, we needed a soft place to rest. We got right to work and picked up 30 mattresses to make our quarantine spaces a comfortable place to rest. Deo one of the leaders of Medical Teams International told us, “With thus support we feel our burden has been offloaded am sure we shall be able to attend this ever growing number of suspects and this will also create great hope and courage to my staff and trust in the community, we are ready to receive the cases and transport the suspect to the institutional quarantine area where were shall have close … [Read more...] about Sleeping Sound and Separate
Checking the Community Temperature
Today our Changemakers 365 COVID-19 response brings us to Nyabiheke refugee camp in Rwanda. Our Alight team is hard at work on the frontline focused on preventing the spread of the virus. Their first priority is protection - protecting the communities where we work and particularly vulnerable people living in refugee camps. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, fever, tiredness, and difficulty breathing. And, as we know, one of the ways the virus can be passed is through close physical contact. This gave our staff an idea. Get infrared thermometers so that we can easily check anyone's temperature without having to come into physical contact. And we can station our teams at checkpoints at all the entrances to the camp, at the clinic, and any other key service points in the camp. These thermometers allow ALIGHT staff to comply with one of the essential and key prevention measures of COVID-19 of social-distancing, and still quickly capture the temperature of an individual. … [Read more...] about Checking the Community Temperature
Sanitation for Suchitoto
Yesterday, we were at the Apopa youth center providing sanitation supplies. Due to a mobility restriction, communities have had a difficult time getting proper sanitation supplies such as hand sanitizer, bleach, liquid soap, and gloves. Working with the sisters, who are trusted members of the community, we determined that the most helpful thing we could be doing is supplying these same things to the neighboring community of Suchitoto. The Suchitoto efforts were led by sister Peggy and The Color Movement. Together we were able to get enough supplies for the sisters to provide cleaning supplies to 86 communities! Sister Peggy joyfully told us, “thank you for all you’re doing for all the communities we serve!” We are so proud of our Color Movement team member Raquel who has been an amazing mover and shaker on the ground making sure these projects happen under such difficult circumstances! Thank you Raquel! … [Read more...] about Sanitation for Suchitoto
A Healthy Community
Changemakers 365 is all about doing to the doable. With the global pandemic of COVID-19 growing, Changemakers 365 is a great tool for providing small support that can stop the spread of the virus and empower others to protect their communities! Our first stop is the Apopa youth center in El Salvador. In El Salvador, there is mobility restriction to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This has made it difficult to get the proper supplies for keeping things sanitary. At the youth centers, the sisters are focused on keeping everything clean and sanitary and also providing sanitation supplies for the community to use. Raquel Orellana of The Color Movement told us "In times of adversity, the sisters unite efforts and work shoulder to shoulder for the most vulnerable communities, even exposing their lives. Their service, it’s an amazing expression of love." We wanted to do whatever we could to help these sisters keep their communities healthy, so we brought them hand sanitizer, … [Read more...] about A Healthy Community
Party on the Beach
It’s our last day in the community of Casa de Luz, Tijuana and we decided that we wanted to do something special with the residents. Life in Tijuana for asylum seekers and refugees is tough, especially for LGBTIQ people. Many have faced abuse and discrimination from their families and communities back home, and violence continues to affect their daily lives outside the shelter in Tijuana. However, this does not stop the Casa de Luz community. They spend so much time helping one another and others in their community, we wanted to give back to them. We decided the best way to celebrate was to throw a party and then head down to the beach for a good old-fashioned bonfire. We brought fresh local ingredients and prepared a lovely buffet-style meal for the residents. The lunch then spontaneously turned into a dance party, where the residents, young and old were showing off their best moves. We were even treated to some signing by one of the lovely transgender residents. We … [Read more...] about Party on the Beach
A Greener Eco-footprint
The biggest priority at El Jardin, the LGBTIQ shelter for asylum seekers in Tijuana, is making their casa self-sustaining and eco-friendly. The community is very invested in making sure that the shelter runs to be the best of its ability while not ruining the environment. Last time we visited the shelter, we noticed the community had installed solar panels and a water heater on the roof. Now we’re back and we have one final piece of the eco-puzzle to fit into place. To make the shelter even more of an eco-friendly space, we installed an electric stove in the kitchen to avoid excessive use of energy. Thanks to this new eco-tool, the residents are now able to cook their favorite meals and share it with the other residents. The stove allows for better and more rationed use of electricity and thus lowers the levels of gas consumption of the casa! El Jardin de las Mariposas is doing its part towards a greener footprint in the field and improving the quality of its resident's … [Read more...] about A Greener Eco-footprint
Spring Cleaning Along the Border
Back at the US- Mexico border in Tijuana, Jaime and his mother Yolanda have made tremendous strides in professionalizing their services at their shelter El Jardin de las Mariposas and making the space as clean and safe as possible. The shelter, once a rehabilitation facility helping people with substance addiction, opened their doors to LGBITQ+ asylum seekers waiting to cross the border and claim asylum in the US. El Jardin has become a resting point for those who had to flee. A space where they can take a breath and have the facilities to properly rest and prepare for their asylum process. As the shelter must comply with the civil protection unit regulations in Tijuana, Jaime came up with the idea to purchase fifteen smoke detectors, two mop buckets and twenty signs for the guests. The shelter is proud to be self-managed and a collaborative house, where each resident does their part to keep it clean, tidy and safe. It’s a real community! Jaime told us "We work to be a … [Read more...] about Spring Cleaning Along the Border
Smiles all around in Tijuana
We’re back at Casa de Luz today working with our partner ORAM in the amazing LGBTIQ shelter in Tijuana. After spending some time in the shelter, we became aware that many of the residents had some minor health problems and were in need of a quick check-up with a medical professional. Good oral and eye health is important for overall health and well-being while they wait to cross the border. Access to LGBTIQ-sensitive health care and dental services becomes particularly challenging for LGBTIQ asylum seekers during their journey to safety. Many either choose not to visit medical care or to conceal their sexual orientation and gender identity for the fear they might be targeted and marginalized. For some, they had never sought care for oral and eye health issues. While recognizing the specific medical needs of LGBTIQ asylum-seekers, CM365 and ORAM decided it was crucial to offer and provide these residents a place to go with verified LGBTIQ friendly health services. Five … [Read more...] about Smiles all around in Tijuana