Co-Founder Update
Written by Mark Wexler
This week I’d like to provide you updates from several of our projects in the field. The effects that COVID-19 is having on our community of survivors is very real.
Peruvian Amazon
Our fishery project deep in the Peruvian Amazon has been crucial to keeping many indigenous communities COVID-19 free because they don’t need to travel into the city to purchase their protein. If the people there contracted COVID-19 it would have horrific effects, as they lack access to hospitals that are equipped to handle the pandemic. However, adding new fisheries was halted last month because of a funding shortage due to COVID-19.
“Not since the early days of the HIV pandemic have I witnessed such challenges. South Africa is under lockdown. There is so much fear around what Covid-19 could do because of the number of people with HIV.”
Southern Africa Not For Sale Director – Tom Hewitt
Bahn Kru Nam, Golden Triangle, Thailand
Typically, half of the kids that live at our Bahn Kru Nam community home attend boarding schools during the school year. Due to COVID-19, all of our kids are back living in the home. This has put great stress on our staff, who now have to feed more kids than expected, help with school work, and much more. Making things more difficult, food costs have tripled, putting pressure on our already limited budget, which had to be cut due to COVID-related funding shortages.
Durban, South Africa
Our Southern Africa director, Tom Hewitt, shared the following: “Not since the early days of the HIV pandemic have I witnessed such challenges. South Africa is under lockdown. There is so much fear around what Covid-19 could do because of the number of people with HIV.”
We have ensured that all of our children are in safe local care throughout this lockdown period. This plan is vital as the homeless are being rounded up and put in poor conditions in stadiums and “hostels.”
At this critical time, our funding to support our work in South Africa has been cut short due to COVID-19.
We will continue to share updates from the field and the reality of the effect that COVID-19 is having on our work. Thank you for your continued support.
Related Articles
Related
TK’s Journey: From Refugee to UN Award Recipient – A Beacon of Hope and Change
In a world where stories of hope and perseverance often go unheard, the story of Ntakamaze Nziyonvira, known as TK, stands as a beacon of inspiration. At Not For Sale, we are honored to spotlight TK’s remarkable journey from a refugee camp to becoming a United Nations...
From The Frontlines: Vi Do’s Transformational Journey from Streetchild to CEO
Watch our first 'From The Frontlines' video series. We are thrilled to present an intimate and inspiring interview with Vi Do, Co-CEO of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation. Hosted by our very own Mark Wexler, co-founder of Not For Sale, this episode is a deep dive into...
Great News: Massive Bipartisan Support for Vital Legislation in the U.S. House
On February 13, 2024 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5856) with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority. This crucial piece of legislation, championed...
