Thank you letter from HKI chair to donors for 2020.
To valued contributors to the Continued Success of Humankind International,
Wowza! 2020 certainly proved to be a year of new experiences, uncertainty, challenges, and creativity like none of us have ever experienced. In February, I took a leap of faith and stepped in as Chair of HKI when Abdi Ahmed stepped down in order to pursue a new and amazing job opportunity (we are grateful he still remains on the board!). Then, of course, we all faced new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic forced Humankind Academy to close in March. This meant that in addition to not attending classes, our students were no longer getting the two meals a day that the school provides them. The headteacher of Humankind Academy, along with a community health worker from the area, conducted home visits to check on the students. During their visits, they noticed that many of the students were malnourished. Parents told them that the children depended on the school food program, and because the school closed, they were no longer getting the nutrition they needed.
Even though we had to cancel our Annual Fundraising Dinner, we had a successful online fundraising event in lieu of the dinner. The funds we raised - the funds you provided - gave food security to our 150 students and their families by enabling HKI to give food hampers to them. The hampers included much-needed food staples such as flour, oil, beans and sugar. Humankind Academy was the only school in all of Dadaab to have the ability to provide this benefit to students and their families.
In accordance with Kenya’s education and health guidelines, Humankind Academy re-opened and welcomed students back in January. The children and teachers are elated to be back in school after a 10-month break and eager to learn. The school provided each student and staff member with three re-usable masks, and the school has installed five sanitization stations, one at the entrance of the school and one outside of every classroom. The school is also now equipped with infrared thermometers to take the children’s temperatures every morning before class.
Despite the pandemic and the school shutdown, we’ve moved forward with other projects for the school. The school’s garden and mini fruit orchard has been planted and is producing kale, tomatoes and onions. The garden and orchard will help offset some of the cost of providing meals to the students and ensures they have fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet.
Your donation to HKI is highly valued and makes a real, tangible difference in the lives of our students. We invite you to keep up with us and see the impact each and every one of your donations makes to the students of Humankind Academy by visiting our new website at www.humankindintl.org or by following us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
The current pandemic has brought stress and uncertainty, but it has also demonstrated what a kind, empathetic and generous community we have around us. From the bottom of all of our hearts at Humankind International, we thank you for your support.
Wishing you and yours the best in 2021.
Jen Glenwright
Chair of Humankind International