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0 The EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition Project is the application of knowledge gained by the students in phase 1 of the EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition, in alignment with the program objective, which is to provide the required fundamental knowledge and skills via the completion of a series of engaging learning experiences. My goal is that the students develop self-efficacy in understanding their role in aiding the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, leading to self-actualization and increased zeal to transfer and apply knowledge learnt in their communities.
The project’s design is such that the students will assist a developing country lacking in social welfare systems, and this specially needed during this COVID 19 Pandemic. Students are currently raising funds to carry out the project. Funds raised will be used to provide primary health care centers and an internally displaced people (IDP) camp in Nigeria with water filters and soap. At the end of the fundraiser in partnership with charities in Nigeria, the water filters and soap will be deployed to their beneficiaries. Visit our safe drinking water project website for more information at www.environfocus.com/waterproject.
The students have been divided into teams. Each team has an objective to raise enough money to buy one (1) water filter (@$500 USD) that will serve up to 100 patients/day in a health center and soap (@$150 USD) provided to one (1) IDP camp in Nigeria.
1. Why a Fundraising project in the EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition?
The Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic is in full swing in parts of the world, heightening the urgency for access to safe drinking water in developing countries and access to safe water plays a massive role in its prevention and control. It is important to note that over 152 million Nigerians do not have access to safe drinking water.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 response at the international aid level focuses on making available personal protective equipment (PPE), medication, sanitizers and cleaning products and not safe drinking water. This decision implies that the allocation of emergency funds to safe drinking water for these developing nations is non-existent, making this fundraising project relevant.
2. Why is provision of water filters to primary health care centres relevant to the EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition?
Nigeria’s healthcare system suffers from chronic underfunding, and limited infrastructure, and only 5% of the healthcare facilities have combined essential water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities on-premises. In health centres in Nigeria, patients’ source for their drinking water supply to take their medicine. Currently, over 110 health workers have lost their lives in the fight to curtail the coronavirus spread.
Also, where there are issues of unsafe water and unsanitary conditions, patients are more likely to develop an infection or get re-infected during a hospital stay
3. Why is provision of soaps in IDP camps relevant to the EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition?
I got requests from charities working in the IDP camps in Nigeria for soap and soap is key to keeping the virus a bay. Millions of Nigerians live in IDP camps. In IDP camps, houses (tents) are in clusters, and everyone lives communally in one big space. This living arrangement makes it paramount that the COVID-19 pandemic is kept a bay in these areas.
EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition Fundraising Campaign
The EKCEP: COVID-19 Response Edition Project Fundraiser is underway, and the students have created GoFundMe pages to raise the required funds to meet the needs of the people. Please feel free to donate to one or all the teams. Here are the teams and their projects:
1. Team Solo
Project Title: The Fight Against COVID-19 Starts with You ; Project Team: Binalpreet Kalra (2020-2021 Interact President), Asmi Gujral, Jasmeet Aulakh, Aryan Bedi and Dhruv Raval: Project Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-fight-against-covid19-starts-with-you?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.
2. Team A
Project Title : Providing Safe Water for Nigerians; Project Team: Gabrielle VanderBerg, Varshini Modina, Teju Modina, Jamelia Parnell, Gurleen Rangi; Project Link : https://www.gofundme.com/f/providing-safe-water-for-nigerians?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet
Thank you for your Support!
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