A Validation Workshop on Resilience and Innovation Amidst Chaos
By Ms. Maureen Obare
On a chilly Saturday morning, I arrived at the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR), eager for the long-awaited validation workshop. After months of gathering responses from communities, university students both present and past, and organizations, we were finally here to review and validate the findings of the “Exploration of Practical Wisdom and Resilience Overcoming Downside Risk: Collecting Grassroots Voices in Africa under COVID-19” survey. The proposed Hekima University (PHU) Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs (proposed) Dr. Odomaro Mubangizi, SJ, was the lead researcher in this study. The day marked a pivotal moment in understanding how we, Kenyans navigated the pandemic’s upheavals.
As participants trickled in, the energy was palpable and the conversation flowed beyond the standard statistics, touching on human experiences that laid bare the resilience of society. One of the most striking moments was when we discussed the coping strategies developed for the post-COVID healthcare system. The stories were as varied as they were profound. Medical practitioner who had once faced insurmountable odds shared how they banded together, supporting each other both physically and emotionally. Educators talked about their innovative approaches and how they sustained learning through digital platforms despite the lack of infrastructure in rural areas. University students on the other hand adapted quickly, embracing various “hustles” to generate income. They turned to online writing, street vending, thrifting, and offering local popular street foods like smokies and smochas to boost their revenue.
The study findings painted a picture of resilience, highlighting key risks and the government’s responses. Disruptions in higher education were discussed in detail, with participants recounting how political competition had worsened the situation. Yet, amidst the chaos, spiritual awakening and mentorship became lifelines for many. Mentorship, especially, had provided a much-needed anchor for youth grappling with economic uncertainty and mental health challenges. The role of media, too, came under scrutiny, and how it shaped public perceptions of health, policies, and even death. I was moved by the conversations around mourning, where cultural practices had been deeply altered, forcing communities to adapt in unexpected ways.
The validation workshop was a key milestone in our research project, “Exploration of Practical Wisdom and Resilience Overcoming Downside Risk: Collecting Grassroots Voices in Africa under COVID-19” Spearheaded by Kinyua Laban Kithinji, a Fellow at the Institute of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern Studies at Sophia University, and Kazuyo Hanai from The University of Tokyo, this project was a collaborative effort with the Japan Society for Afrasian Studies (JSAS). The workshop was more than a presentation of data; it was a celebration of human resilience and innovation in the face of unprecedented adversity.
By the end of the workshop, one thing was clear: we had not just survived the pandemic; we had emerged stronger. “We Emerged Stronger: Local Communities Accounts of Resilience ” wasn’t just a title, it was a testament to the indomitable human spirit that had risen to meet the challenges of the pandemic head-on.
