Green Apple Issue 2 | Page 21

What was the first reaction of your team?

Like everyone around our world, the Adara family was filled with grief, trauma, and fear as we watched COVID-19 explode into reality. Communities around the world are suffering, and this pandemic has exposed them to challenges in accessing healthcare, education, basic needs and services like food, protection, and social interaction. We were hugely worried but knew we needed to get to work to support the communities we work alongside.

What has the Covid pandemic meant for Adara’s projects?

We readjusted our plans so we can continue to deliver the most essential services, and to mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on the communities we support. This involves setting up handwashing stations and implementing other prevention measures, sourcing personal protective equipment and ensuring continuation of essential services.

Schools in Nepal remain closed. This means our feeder school project in Ghyangfedi has looked different over the last few months. We have adapted quickly, and we were one of the first organisations in Nepal to introduce distance learning via FM radio stations in areas with no internet connection. We are looking to distribute learning materials such as books, activities, magazines, stationery and pre-recorded devices (portable radios and mP3 players) for students to work with at home.

What other type of impacts is the pandemic having in Ghyangfedi?

Food insecurity in Ghyangfedi is a huge factor. We plan to work with the local government to assess the food situation in the villages and be prepared to respond. Many kids in the schools we support rely on midday meals as a main part of their diet. We plan to maintain midday meals to students during lockdown, following appropriate physical distancing and hygiene practices. We will also monitor the food security situation more broadly, and provide food packages to families in need, if required.

The Adara model is unique. Adara businesses provide financial services expertise to clients, with the fees generated on transactions going to directly benefit people living in extreme poverty. Has the pandemic meant making changes?

We are making sure our businesses continue to give great advice to our clients and continue generating revenue for our work. We are working hard to ensure our donor partners keep finding joy in standing with us, and that our teams on the ground are safe. We are striving to do everything we can to ensure we continue to support the amazing communities we’ve been working with. This has meant developing strategic goals for 2020 focused on this crisis, unlike any we’ve done before.

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