Navigating these turbulent times poses a challenge for so many individuals, businesses and communities around the world. While we all do our part to stay home and stay safe, we also want to support those around us who are in need. Staying connected with friends, family and neighbours during this period is critical, and there are multiple ways we can lend a helping hand and cooperate to be part of the solution — even while still practising social distancing.
How do you make a difference? Even while confined at home you can still do lot to help the less fortunate and those in need. We are all going through this together, and we shall overcome it. Below are some suggestions on how you can help to make a positive impact in your community during this pandemic.
1. Connect with Local NGOs
By sharing the excellent work they do on your social media pages you can be a huge help to NGOs. Follow your favourite charity and learn what they’re doing to help others, and find out what help they need — you never know, your input may just be what they need to overcome an obstacle. Numerous other organisations are changing their operations or starting new programs to fill the gaps where the coronavirus has impacted services.
The best place to learn how you can aid the situation is online. By simply following an NGO and sharing their posts — maybe even leaving a positive review — your actions can go a long way in spreading the word.
2. Donate to your Favourite Charitable Cause
Financial donations are significant acts of generosity, which bring direct impact to NGOs that offer emergency services to those most in need. Social service groups around the country are working to coordinate meal programs, disburse groceries and raise money to help families. Charitable donations are easy to make online, and you can also donate physical products, such as masks and hand sanitisers, which are vital to beating this coronavirus.
Incredible organizations like the Kenya Red Cross, Amref and Feed the Children can help many Kenyans with your support, and many have set up specific COVID-19 relief funds. Some counties have also established relief programs for those in dire straits.
Image courtesy of @AjiryKE on Twitter.
3. Support Neighborhood Businesses by Shopping and Eating Local
Local restaurants and businesses are some of the worst hit by this crisis. They’re not in good financial shape, given that most small businesses usually have less than two months of cash on hand for operations, and that’s before the government implemented measures to curb the coronavirus. Consider shopping at local independent stores and eateries instead of larger chains.
The good thing is, that you can get your groceries from a local grocer and easily have them delivered home if you like. A lot of restaurants are now offering delivery services as well. For regular service appointments like haircuts, classes, or massages, ask if you can pay for your regular appointment and reschedule when things are back in operation rather than cancelling altogether.
Remember that these businesses provide income for people that enables them to feed their families and go about life. Consider the hawkers who can’t sell anymore, the barbers, hair stylists, bartenders, watu wa mjengo, mama fua, and many more who are now out of business and can’t do anything about it. All small businesses shouldn’t have to close down, and we can actually do something about it.
4. Check in on Friends, Family, and Anyone Who Might Need It
A strong social circle is crucial for staying healthy and optimistic through difficult times. Isolation is tough on the human psyche, and many people are experiencing stress and anxiety, particularly the elderly and those who live alone. This is the time to call up your loved ones and remind them how much they mean to you. Reach out to someone you think can benefit from hearing a familiar, friendly voice. That 10-minute talk can be their week’s highlight.
Don’t forget to reach out to your service providers as well – your cleaning lady, the tea lady at work, your chauffeur that hasn’t driven you for weeks – and inquire how they and their families are doing. Find out if there’s a way you can help. Remember that this is a temporary situation and that your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing.
5. Volunteer in your Neighborhood
Wherever you stay, there are probably a handful of people who need support right now. Elderly, high-risk, or incapacitated neighbours are advised to stay at home and some may be isolated and far from their loved ones. Pay them a call or message them to ensure they are doing all right. If you’re healthy and willing, offer to run their errands they may not be able to get out and do. Just remember to maintain the social distancing guidelines to stay safe.
6. Tap into the Power of your Social Groups
Most of us are in more than one social group: from Chamas to church, neighbourhood welfare associations, and more. We understand how they can be instrumental in bringing positive change to their members’ lives, but this might be an invitation to extend their goodwill outside their borders. For example, neighbourhood welfare associations are good at addressing security issues in an estate. As one member of such a committee recently pointed out, isn’t it more humane to feed the needy nearby than ask for police to reinforce estate security? Or at the very least, why not do both?
A lot of church groups and chamas have historically taken part in charitable drives, and this is another moment when they can really do good for the less fortunate in society.
Remember, the darkest moments are merely opportunities for us to fiercely shine the light within us and spread it to others who need it.
We’re in this together
Challenging times call for us all to work together and help our loved ones and communities. We can take comfort in the fact that so many people around us are ready and willing to lend a helping hand. Thank you for stepping up and wanting to make a difference, and many thanks to all the essential workers who are keeping us safe and getting us ready for the momentous times ahead.
At Nellions, we’re pulling together to help strengthen the communities where we work and live. We’re also very aware of the plight of the less fortunate in society and the added hardship this situation has brought into their lives. Therefore, we are offering free delivery of donations from all our customers. It’s very simple: if you have any excess items you would like to donate, we pick them up during a move and deliver them to an organization of your choosing.
Do you have questions about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting your moving services? We’re ready to help. Check out this article to learn more about the changes we have instituted to make moving safer.
