Our Work in the Time of COVID-19

The world is experiencing an unprecedented time of uncertainty. As we settle into these new times, we must mitigate the short-term consequences of the new coronavirus, but we can’t stop focusing on the life-changing work we have always done.

As the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, it is more essential than ever to ensure that people not only have virus-related information and care they need, but ongoing services as well.

World Education is committed to continuing our work to strengthen education systems and to improve services—and ultimately, people’s lives.

The effects of the crisis are particularly challenging for marginalized girls and adults. World Education has been working with partners to plan activities that meet the needs of programs and people most affected by COVID-19.

Following are a few of our specific country programs that are working to stem the spread of COVID-19.

In Cote d’Ivoire, World Education is coordinating with UNICEF and other organizations to implement COVID-19 awareness-raising activities in past and present program communities.

In Egypt, we are working to ensure that teachers receive professional development on English as a Second Language instruction while Egyptian schools remain shuttered.

In Eswatini, World Education’s Bantwana Initiative is providing COVID-19 information and education to children and adolescents who live with HIV by phone and WhatsApp. In a collaboration with PACT, the initiative is working to ensure that young people adhere to their antiretroviral therapy and is providing remote case management support to abuse victims.

Also in Eswatini, the Go Girls Connect project is leveraging its digital infrastructure to educate adolescent girls and young women on COVID-19 prevention and response using remote outreach via mobile phones and WhatsApp messaging. We will also pilot a digital gender-based violence self-screening tool that can link adolescent girls to case workers.

In Ghana, World Education is working to keep more than 9,500 out-of-school girls safe and engaged in learning. We are helping communities to build “tippy taps” to dispense water to allow people to practice proper handwashing techniques while engaging local craftspeople to manufacture and provide soap. We will distribute child-friendly health education materials about the importance of handwashing, sanitation, child safeguarding, and girls’ education. We are also working with the Ministry of Education and national partners to set up interactive radio instruction and SMS contact to keep girls engaged in learning. Local community oversight committees will provide mentors to those who need them.

In Laos, World Education, through the USAID Okard project and with the Hands of Hope Center, is improving the accessibility of WHO COVID-19 guidelines for deaf people by providing video translations in Lao sign language. These videos include ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, details on physical distancing, and how to use masks and hand sanitizer to protect oneself.