This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 14, 2020, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) in Kenya, with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa – Kenya (CCBA), scaled up its initiatives to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Kibera and Mukuru slums in Nairobi.
The Coca-Cola Foundation donated KShs 10 million to support several health initiatives in the fight against the spread of Coronavirus in Kenya. SHOFCO used the funds to enhance hand hygiene and sanitation by providing water, soap, and sanitizers to the communities in these areas. Additionally, they provided emergency food support to ensure that the most vulnerable families didn’t starve due to food shortages and price spikes caused by the disease.
SHOFCO installed 70 handwashing stations in Kibera and Mukuru, located at main entry points and staffed by volunteers who instructed people on how to wash their hands upon entering and exiting the slums. The organization also distributed clean water twice a day through trucks to people who had no access in the two communities to support the maintenance of basic hygiene levels at all times.
“We are all concerned about everyone impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak in Kenya. The Coca-Cola Foundation and CCBA are keen to support our vulnerable communities to adhere to the required hygiene practices that have been prescribed by the health authorities to beat the spread of the virus,” said Xavier Selga, CCBA Managing Director.
SHOFCO also upped its community outreach efforts using volunteers and community health workers to conduct door-to-door awareness, distribute illustrated Kiswahili information pamphlets, and identify anyone with possible symptoms for a referral to the Ministry of Health for quarantine and testing. Screening continued at SHOFCO’s clinics.
The support is part of Coca-Cola’s global efforts to help control the spread of COVID-19, with Kenya being among the 13 African countries in East and Central Africa receiving donations.
