Resilience Narratives Amidst COVID-19 Challenges in Kenya and Tanzania
By Maureen Obare
At the proposed Hekima University(pHU) Directorate office, a transformative initiative is underway to bolster the nation’s coping strategies pre, during and post-COVID-19. A comprehensive survey, driven by the power of dialogue, is being conducted through focused group discussions and key informant interviews. The Directorate team is currently involved in understanding the intricate textile of Kenyans pre, during and post coping mechanisms across vital sectors. Capacity building is the keystone, as the pHU Directorate team and participants engage in candid conversations that transcend statistical data, offering a nuanced understanding of the post-pandemic landscape.
Within the field of education, the conversations explore the creative approaches that organizations/ institutions and communities managed to maintain operations in the face of upheavals. The ever-important topic of health is highlighted along with the coping strategies developed to deal with the challenges posed by the pre, during and post-COVID-19 healthcare system. The fabric of social interaction, frayed by the pandemic, is being rewoven through shared experiences and communal efforts. The overarching theme of well-being encapsulates the multifaceted dimensions of human resilience – physical, mental, and emotional.
As the conversations continue unfolding, the survey embodies a collective endeavor to turn challenges into opportunities. The findings promise not only to inform policy but to inspire a culture of adaptability and perseverance, forging a future where Kenya emerges not just recovered, but stronger and more united than ever.
With a focus on resilience and community strength, pHU is leading this educational project called “We Emerged Stronger: Local Communities Accounts of Resilience in Countering Risks of COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya and Tanzania.” The academic strength of Sophia University, Ardhi University, University of Embu, and the Institute for Future Initiatives(IFI) of the University of Tokyo is combined in this joint project.
