Covid- 19 is a worldwide enemy that has devastated economies and the countries. Locally and in Kisumu, Grace Oyoo together with the youth have adopted various initiatives that can help them keep the coronavirus at bay and soon return to their normal routines. This is her story, her quest in alleviating suffering at the grass root level through well wishers and partners. They are mobilizing resources including personnel, material, and finances and accepting kind donation from Kenyans of goodwill. Throughout the months of April until to date, Grace has been part of different activities within the community as highlighted below.
In the month of On April 10th 2020, Grace joined a group of youth volunteers under Kisumu caucus to launch the response activities initiated in Kisumu County. The team distributed 60 homemade masks and 20 reflectors donated by participants, plus conducting demonstrations by the volunteers on face masks usage, hand washing techniques, social distancing complemented with a skit in a sensitization event that directly reached more than 500 traders at Kosawo “ corona” market. On the 17th …….over 100 bodaboda riders in Otonglo Market, Kisumu West Sub-County were sensitized on the government guidelines and protocols on COVID -19 . A good number of the youth joined them in the exercise which covered five bodaboda bases namely, Kodiaga, Kanyuto, Otonglo and Gaza. The team distributed more than 100 face masks, 80 containers bottles of 250 ml of sanitizers and installed one 50 litre hand washing point at Otonglo bus stop. On the last day of the month, Grace attended the activity at the Kisumu stadium on reaching out to community to contain the spread of Covid-19. It was successful as we they distributed over 400 face masks to the traders and a 20 litre jerrican of sanitizer, thanks to well wishers support.
Grace joined a group of youth of youth from Kisumu county ( youth led organizations ) on the 6th May to distribute 230 sanitary towels and 130 face masks in Seme Sub –County, reaching out to over 230 young women, offering sexual and reproductive health rights trainings to them. The centers visited were Reru Market, Manyuanda County Hospital, Kanyadwera and Holo Market. On the 15th of the same month, in partnership with Kisumu Youth Caucus, they donated face masks, footwear, clothes and soap to the street children. There were various activities in line with the event, including sensitization on how to reduce the risks of contracting COVID-19.
In June, saw Grace taking part in reviewing the draft petition and development of advocacy in Kisumu. Present were various youth led organizations such as the Women Volunteers for Peace. The petition was presented on local radios stations like Mayienga in conjunction with the Kisumu County Assembly, where Grace presented the key issues. The same petition was submitted to the clerk Kisumu County for the financial year 2020/2021. Another activity that she took was taking part in was developing a policy brief to enable various youth led organizations such as Women Volunteers for Peace to undertake sexual and reproductive health rights projects. On the 22nd June, together with Bandani community members , Kisumu county,they distributed over 100 plus face masks and sanitary towels to young girls and women in the area and conducted inclusive of educative sessions with the girls on menstrual hygiene. On the 30th June, face masks, and sanitary pads were distributed to the adolescent girls at Tiengre Village in Kisumu West., Life skills, menstrual hygiene, and sexual reproductive health rights trainings were also held.
Grace Oyoo took part in the preparatory first meeting for International Youth Day, Kisumu County that led to her being elected as the International Youth Day secretary to represent the County. Congratulations to her and her sterling community work with various partners to ensure the community are supported.
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