Covid-19 has ravaged the world and specifically, it has put a very big scar on the already economically crippled families putting their future in abeyance; thus keeping them in a state of despire. Amidst this desolate life, FOHU has tried to step in with some approaches that will give hope and comfort to the families where its supported children hail from. The thought and planned approaches are hoped to have realistic results that will strengthen the FOHU beneficiary children and their families putting them in the perspective of overcoming and or withstanding the challenges paused by COVID-19. The planning Board of FOHU therefore evolved some insights to mitigate some of the challenges.
The very immediate mitigation was food relief and other key home basics. FOHU beneficiaries are from economic humble families whose livelihood is hand to mouth syndrome. With COVID lockdown where everyone was not allowed to move out of their homes, life became so challenging and doubtful of their future. To give life and hope to these families, some fair quantities of relief food, home basic items and monetary support were given out.
The other approach propounded by the members of the board is sensitization and comforting both the children and their families by sharing and discussing with them how to go about life in face of the odds brought about by COVID-19. Sharing and comforting of these children and families is purely guided by the nature of their background which is very known by the board members. It is imperative to note that out of the 10 charity children, 3 of them are total orphans (Have no mother and no father and one of them does not have even any uncles/auntie and no grandparents). Then 5 others only have their mothers thus no fathers; which give a careful and passionate approach during training.
This state of vulnerability and disadvantaged status is key to guiding the FOHU hired counsellors and board, on how to handle children’s ordeals and life style for purposes of shaping their future. In this, FOHU children are educated on how to go about the trying time of COVID lockdown. Professional counsellors have become a vital means of building hope and comfort among the FOHU beneficiaries. Counsellors share with them life experience, how to live within available means, not to be so excited or anxious about certain occurrences how to live productively within their means and abilities. These beneficiaries are further educated not to become a burden to care givers and guardians which would result into regrets and or withdraw of support.
Members of the Board, the DCDO and the specialized counsellor, had good time with the Parents/guardians and their children during the educative sharing session (See Photos of the parents and children who were present)
Instead, FOHU children are educated on how to efficiently use and grab the available opportunities, be resourceful, forward focused, open minded, have rigorous pursuance of their career, be pragmatic, humane and gorgeous. Equally parents/guardians of the FOHU children are advised not to abdicate their parental responsibilities and having a positive view of their children. Also manifest their love, care, practical support and guidance.
The other aspect of intervention and mitigation by FOHU over the effects of COVID lockdown is building sustainability, having psycho-social support and creating the capacity of “stand alone” philosophy. This may rather require some time and relative costs if it is to be feasible. As envisaged by the board, sustainability and “stand alone” program. Will require skills development, endurance, opening children’s minds for innovativeness and as agrarians to adopt better farming methods for high productivity for both home consumption and for income generation (producing for the market).
With a day’s long program coupled with fatigue, in one of the organized interaction and educative activity, all the parties present shared a meal and drink to regain strength for the next session and programs as organized by the administration of FOHU.
