We’re in uncharted territory. The Coronavirus has caught the world off guard and has forced us in the U.S. to reorient our lives for the sake of others—especially for the most vulnerable members of society.
At Bright Hope, we work every day to bring Hope for Today, Tomorrow, and Eternity to the most vulnerable members of our global society—to those who barely survive on less than $2 a day. So, in light of the quickly-spreading COVID-19 virus, we wanted to update you on what’s going on in countries where we work: Bolivia, Haiti, Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya.
As you know, illness hits impoverished communities exponentially harder than wealthy communities. In America, we’re told to wash our hands with hot water and soap to kill the virus. But in many countries, where plumbing and electricity don’t exist, it’s not that easy.
Learn why washing hands isn’t always possible in poor communities.
Many Bright Hope partner churches hold regular hygiene and sanitation training programs to help poor communities stem the tide of infectious diseases. In Bolivia, our partner churches have provided COVID-19 preparedness training. We also work to provide these communities with clean water to drink, cook, and wash with.
School Feeding Programs
- Bolivia: Schools are closed but our feeding programs through the church-run childcare centers may stay open if the churches stay open.
- Kenya: Since schools are closed, their feeding programs are closed too. Kids who would normally receive two healthy meals per day at school can’t receive these meals as long as schools are closed. Our in-country staff are working with local leaders to change this.
- Zambia & Uganda: Schools are closed so school feeding programs are closed. We do, however, have gardens at the school that make up some of the children’s meals.
- Haiti: To our knowledge, Haiti has not closed schools.
Learn more about our school feeding programs here. Find the most up-to-date, country-specific coronavirus information here.
PRAY
As Christians, we know that our loving, heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers! Though distance separates us from believers in Bolivia, Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, we can intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters in need.
To learn how you can pray for the extreme poor during this pandemic, visit our Prayer Wall and sign up to receive prayer requests by text.
GIVE
We need your help! Diseases like malaria kill hundreds of thousands each year! We have had many church leaders pass away over the years from malaria. Now, with the coronavirus threatening areas of extreme poverty, we need to protect the elderly and sick. Please help make a difference in the lives of the poorest people on earth.
Thank you for your generous support! We will provide more updates as we receive them.
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