Inkululeko’s response to COVID-19
COVID-19 has created an ever-evolving situation impacting lives around the world. Nonprofits, like Inkululeko, are quickly learning how to adapt during this time.
How is COVID affecting Inkululeko’s operation?
Inkululeko released a statement on March 17, 2020, suspending face-to-face learning and activities. Staff and learners had to quickly adjust to the situation following the new restrictions brought on by the virus.
Inkululeko has been highly affected by this pandemic. Learners will miss out on academics, and some will have to endure staying at home where poverty, injustices, and gender-based violence compound the challenges of the lockdown.
Additionally, some of our staff members are full-time postgraduate students, therefore, this pandemic has also affected them.
What is Inkululeko doing?
Inkululeko has continued to find ways to carry out its mission.
Photo from Inkululeko’s online Poetry event.
We have prioritized the mental, emotional and physical health of our colleagues above all else. Colleagues around the world have been provided mental health resources to use and have been encouraged to seek out any other resources for support. Colleagues have been encouraged to take mental health breaks when needed, too.
Virtual staff meetings have increased in frequency to ensure everyone is on the same page and that everyone is supporting one another as we move forward.
On April 25, 2020, Inkululeko partnered with Nho Rhu Poetic society, from Syracuse University, and hosted a worldwide poetry event via Zoom. Faculty, staff members, poets, and other partners of Inkululeko joined in and listened to poetry from the safety of their homes. This event was a great way to bring people together online and forge a new sort of community amid the pandemic.
“With this fast evolving situation, we have intentionally ensured our colleagues are safe, healthy and supported,” said Jason Torreano, Executive Director. “In weekly calls we prioritize how we can support one another through this. We want healthy colleagues who can then ensure we support our learners through this unprecedented global health crisis.”
“If this pandemic does not allow us to be innovative we will be refusing to grow, sometimes we ought to find light amidst darkness so that when the light comes we are ready to connect with it,” said Zuko Gqadavama, Academic and Business Coordinator. “The 4th Industrial Revolution is here and as Inkululeko we need to adapt not to fit in but to grow as the organisation.”
Keen to support our work? Learn more here.