Blind,Deaf and old people vs COVID19

The COVID19 is a pandemic which has affected everyone without exception, in DRC,the risk is high of infection , additionally there comes hunger during the lock down and after the lock-down,this project is consistent with the sensitization and awareness for people with mobility reduced so living with disabilities such as deaf , dumb, the blind and old people, as a class of people who get ignored have our activities by other channels including awareness BRAILLE writing for the blind and sign language for the deaf and dumb so that they understand the danger that the world is entering from running with the Covid 19  and Finally, we intend to be part of the hunger solution by cultivating a 10 hectares of land to resolve food security problem during and after

The proposed solutions will without doubts stop the spread of coronavirus in Congo and prevent more death due to hunger.

This epidemic is dangerous for the DR Congo with poorly performing health systems whose funding depends more on external aid from countries.

The cities of Kinshasa, Goma , Bukavu, Ituri , Beni and Butembo and the surrounding villages and towns are increasingly risk made of the intensity of trips International and other means of internal displacement in the destination s .

The population of North Kivu more precisely of Mugunga and Rusayo districts having the limits with the city lives a psychosis due to the consequences of the epidemic of the Ebola virus disease, having the same mode of transmission, the end of which of the epidemic has not yet been declared. It should nevertheless be noted with 6 new Ebola recorded this week ,

This project targets to reach out to more than 3 million people in North Kivu and specifically 500,000 direct beneficiaries , among them we have the most vulnerable people, deaf people, blind people, elderly people and children

Our proposed solution include different programs such as

1.Prevent the spread of COVD-19 in North  Kivu by informing, maintaining the acquired knowledge of preventing against infection and Supporting the most vulnerable people and orphaned children with food in Mugunga and Rusayo districts in the Democratic Republic of Congo

2. The innovation of this project is consistent with the sensitization and awareness for people with mobility reduced so living with disabilities such as deaf , dumb, the blind and old people, as a class of people who get ignored have our activities by other channels including awareness BRAILLE writing for the blind and sign language for the deaf and dumb so that they understand the danger that the world is entering from running with the Covid 19 and the need to comply with hygiene and barrier rules. against the spread of Covid 19 and other pandemics of the moment, especially since they seem to be among the forgotten people of the planet when they constitute a danger if their situation is not taken into consideration and which can contaminate thousands of people 

This project will benefit the local communities of the North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, a population estimated to 3million people,

Specific groups are targeted including Blind people, Deaf, Elderly People and Children,

To understand their need, we made a survey and research during this COVID19 using our researchers and frontline health workers, 

The beneficiaries will be directly involved in the project implementation, we have got experts trained to teach blind and deaf people  and will sensitize them, some will attend online sessions

In regards  to this proposal, I have no doubts that it aligns with the challenge and I believe it will convince judged based on the provided evidence and proposed solutions,  The judges do not ignore that DR.Congo is on a high risk of COVID19 and that the blind people, deaf and old people are more ignored and no much attention is being given to them; for this proposal we want to show how everyone is concerned , including blind people, deaf, old people at very high risks  ,  

My Solution is unique and innovative, engaging the community to stop the spread of COVID 19 is the most important and exceptionally  engaging and informing blind people, deaf people and old people about the risks of COVID, I have no doubt that it makes more my solution exceptional and further more, working on hunger solution of food security, hunger and malnutrition from harvested food during this most difficult time of COVID19 is most essential for have my solution considered for selection.

During the implementation phase of this solution,  our organisation PEPA/NGO has got highly qualified team and personnel to implement successfully the solution, 

On the Community mobilisation aspect against the spread of the COVID19, We have got team of social workers  who are on frontline, and community works and researchers and most of them have University degrees,  Additionally to that, we have got in the health department, Medical doctors and nurses, well trained and ready to serve in the crisis of COVID19. 

On the second part of the solution to reach out to the Deaf,blind, old people etc,  we have professional teachers from different partner schools who will do this work of reaching out to those people and for other stake holders, some sessions will be online, it is a unique aspect of this solution to consider everyone in the fight of COVID19

On the food security agriculture, we have experienced nutristionists, agronoms to work on this section of the project, and the administration of PEPA will be in charge of reporting.

Our solution utilized widely accepted technology such as protection kits against the COVID19, disinfection materials, Masks N95, K95, 

Meetings and training held online and limited number of participant in case of a face to face meeting, 

PEPA is partnering with many clinics and hospital in Goma, using the same technology whereas the lack of modern and engouth equipments, 

We have not put much information online; but just to illustration  the work, visit the link on the masks  https://www.facebook.com/pepahumandignity/photos/rpp.127206440683933/3766086280129246/?type=3&theater

As implementation plan; the project is to run for a period of 12 months starting from May 2020 until April 2021 Emergency support activity will start as soon as the project is funded ;we are in contact with partners who will avail for us the protection and disinfection kits; and food distribution to orphan homes and vulnerable families and agriculture will be done as soon as the funding is available

Given Deaf, blind, children and old people are perceived in the world, as a force and engine of development, and positive change this constitutes an open window to involve them in prevention activities against COVID 19 and other possible pandemics and epidemics above all by also tackling the cross-cutting themes involved in the peace negotiation process, 

• Monitoring, reporting and management system

From the list of indicators, a data collection sheet will be developed and a computerized database . Training on data collection techniques and filling in the standard form will be carried out for the staff who will conduct the awareness sessions. The data collected will be encoded in the database, analyzed and will constitute Baselines (baseline situation) which will make it possible to follow the changes during and at the end of the project.

Each week, case data will be entered into the database.

Community mobilizers live in the community and have the capacity to have daily information. Supervisors collect weekly data, document and analyze the results of activities, the monitoring and evaluation officer makes weekly field visits to verify compliance of reports, document success stories and coach field teams.

The project will be reviewed every three months with the participation of the senior staff, the controls and the final evaluation will be done annually with the donor or his representative.

Sustainability

The structures put in place and revitalized will allow capitalizing on the achievements of the project and therefore, ensuring the continuity of activities even after the project has ended.

The participatory approach encourages the increased participation of beneficiaries in project activities. The model according to respectful of culture, local practices which promote the respect of human rights 

The direct beneficiaries of this solution are evaluation to 500,000 peopl and indirect to 3million people in the North Kivu Province; Eastern Democratic Republic of CONGO

Within the next 5 years we plan to become a strongest nonprofit which has made significant positive impact in transforming lives of people;  

With our Special Consultative Status to the United Nations, we plan within 5 years to significantly contribute to the SDGs, and expend our activities to more countries around the world

The barriers which could hinder us to reach our goal in the next 5years is if the world leaders negligence the COVID19 situation, or in case of political instability in the world or lack of enough funding.

One of the way to overcome the barriers , first of all is to be active and fully participate in fighting against the spread of COVID19, and with this project, if funded it is ready a good start, 

For the funding situation, we shall try our best to put in place small income generating activities in order to keep strong and meet our vision of the next 5 years.

We have about 25 people in our team in DR.Congo, 10 are full time, 14 are part time and the rest are volunteers

Like mentioned on our proposed solution page, 

We have well skilled team which inludes:

Medical Doctors, 

Nurses,

Lawyers,

Social workers,

Professional teachers,

Nutritionists,

Agronoms,..

Most of them hold a bachelor's degree and higher

Our current partners include:

The United Nations,

Unicef

Monusco,

Medair,

International Consortium on Drug Policy,

Aids and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa,

Stop tb partnership,

University of Goma,

Heal Africa Hospital,

Docs Hospital,

UNOCHA, https://www.unocha.org/story/drc-%E2%80%9Cwomen-and-girls%E2%80%99-bodies-are-not-battlegrounds%E2%80%9D

As a Nonprofit, the population we serve are the core of our work, they are put at the first level, we don't sale services but we provide free services to vulnerable people, and our beneficiaries are directly implicated from the project idea to the implementation phase.

They need our services, we are called to help/assist people in need, living in conflicts, experiencing difficult situation, such as health, education, hunger, poverty, refugees, IDP, Advocates,..

Our intervention is important in order for them to find solutions to their problems.

We bring in money from partnerships, fundraising, proposal writing, donations, and all money we raise go directly to the beneficiaries;

In most of the time, we do raise fund which meets our annual plan and expected expenses; but sometimes such as in this time of COVID19, we do face funding challenges because some of our partners are also affected in different ways.

The measure reason we are applying to Solve because we believe Solve can help us to achieve our mission of bringing hope to the hopeless people around the world, providing assistance to people in difficult situation, poverty,...

Specifically to the COVID19 proposed solution,  With Solve we believe to be able to stop the spread of the COVID19 in the world and in particular in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 

We are looking to expend our vision and our work, just for a quick information, our area of intervention include:

Health,  Human Rights, Education, Gender and community development

Read a bit on how our work is making impact in the community: https://www.unocha.org/story/drc-%E2%80%9Cwomen-and-girls%E2%80%99-bodies-are-not-battlegrounds%E2%80%9D

Our website: www.pepahumandignity.org

Our primary focus: Our primary focus strengthening the community through various areas by contributing to better living conditions  and contribute to meeting the United Nations global challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with focus on Education, Health, Human Rights, sustainable Development

We are in need of partners and volunteers to help us to build a strong network and be able to assist many people who need help around the world.

We would like to partner with:

Foundations,

Companies,

International agencies,

Universities and Colleges, 

Churches,

NGOs

Individuals willing to join us,...

We definitely believe to qualify to this price based on our hard work, professionalisms,  accountability, experience.

The Elevate Prize for Health Security will help us to advance our solution in the way that it will enable us to become more stronger and build a new partnership,  it will enable us to meet the need of many of our beneficiaries in the countries of operation and beyond , 

With this fund, we shall see our vision in the next 5 years becoming true to fighting the health problems the world is facing and to truly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Goals;

Millions of people are starving in the world because of various problems such us floods, hunger, poverty, conflicts and wars,

We our humanitarian experience of serving people in conflict driven countries, this price will make great impact to the beneficiaries of our services like you can read this testimony and the work we are doing from this link: https://www.unocha.org/story/drc-%E2%80%9Cwomen-and-girls%E2%80%99-bodies-are-not-battlegrounds%E2%80%9D

There is no doubt that this price will make as more strong and one of the well standing non profit organisation intervening in the humanitarian aspects.

For many years, our hard work has been focused on promotion of Gender and women leadership, we are played a big role in the promotion of women's rights,  women are at the center of our work and that's why we put in place since 2014 the program called PEPA Women leadership Academy , 

If we get this funding, it will boost our women leadership academy program, we shall be able to advocate more and more for women rights, gender,...

All the above provided experience shows without doupts that we qualify for this prize.

Just a quick and short link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIN_gCGKes8&t=80s

Refugee situation around the world is always our concern, we have worked with refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and other countries,   we serve all without discrimination of race, origin , religion or sexual orientation, 

This price will enable our to continue our programs of assisting refugees to meet their needs, inclusion and integration in a new country,  including internal displace people, 

Among the work we are doing with refugees include the soccer for peace Africa which you can see the impact of soccer on young people refugees , the link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APtCaSgFDUQ&t=3s

We do appreciate your cooperation and considerations

Thank you for your trust 

Appolinaire Zagabe