How TechHerNg Engages Children, Women, Others Amidst COVID-19

Hi, from Kelechi and Grace!

It’s been quite the month, right? How are you all doing? We hope that you’re surviving and adjusting to the “new normal” and we want you to know we are cheering you on. As we like to say in our pidgin parlance, “las las, we go dey alright.”Just hang in there.

Let’s catch up on what we’ve been up to.

Children’s Book Day – What are the kids reading?

We kicked off the month celebrating Children’s Book Day, on April 2, 2020. We’d have loved to visit the kids in their schools and read something to them, but for obvious reasons, couldn’t. Nonetheless, we ran a social media campaign encouraging everyone to ensure that children under their care cultivate the habit of reading. You can see what we did here.

Myths and facts about COVID-19

We kick-started a campaign tagged: #DebunkingTheMyth on April 3. The series aimed to expose some of the fish stories and dangerous myths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important that you adhere strictly to the procedures prescribed only by health authorities like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) when dealing with this novel coronavirus. The campaign is here.

World Health Day – Celebrating our heroes

World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7. This year was a perfect opportunity to appreciate our health workers, especially those on the front-lines of this fight against COVID-19, celebrating their courage and professionalism. We definitely owe them a lot more. Check here to see our message to them.

Happy Easter!
Did you get our Easter message? If you didn’t, we’re sure it isn’t late to serve it a second time here. Although the lock-down kept us apart, the joy of the season resounded in our hearts.

World Book Day – Have you read any book during the lock-down?

On April 23, 2020 we joined book lovers around the globe to commemorate World Book Day. For some of us, books have been our best companions and escape strategy during this period. Of course, at every other time, books have proven to be the elixir that conquers ignorance. So what are you reading? Tag us in your posts and let us know on social media. We ask you to please read a book today, it is liberating.

The impact of COVID-19 on women

The next day April 24, 2020 our founder, Chioma Agwuegbo, was a guest on Youth Alive Foundation’s Hello Africa Facebook Live event, where she offered her perspectives on the Impact of the COVID-19 Lock-down on Women. If you missed that, all the gist is here.

Are you in a tight spot? Are you experiencing any abuse? Know that there is help for you, do not suffer in silence. Here are a few resources you can reach out to depending on where you are in Nigeria.

Girls in ICT Day: Post COVID-19 prospects?

Finally, we celebrated this year’s International Girls in ICT Day, April 25, hosting a webinar to discuss Post COVID-19 Generation of Girls in Technology. We had extraordinary women – Stella Uzochukwu Denis, Farida Kabir and Oreoluwa Somolu-Lesi – share their experiences and thoughts on how stakeholders can help bridge the tech gap for girls in a post-pandemic world. This conversation is just getting started and we’ll be happy to have your opinion on this.
Please, send us a DM on social media.

Whew, one way or the other, April is a month that will be etched in our memory. We’ll take a breather here and continue next month. Don’t forget that COVID-19 is real. You can find helpful tips on how to take care of yourself at these times on the WHO website.
Please, stay safe, stay healthy and stay alive. See you soon!

By Sola Ojo 01-05-2020