COVID-19 has changed the lives of children and families across the world. The virus has taken not just lives, but jobs, education and financial security – leaving a lasting mark on children everywhere. In Jamaica, the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), an End Violence partner, is mitigating these challenges by adapting their child resiliency programme to the COVID-19 context.
“Preliminary results of a phone survey showed that most parents of the children already enrolled in this programme have lost their jobs, particularly for the Falmouth and Montego Bay parents who were employed in the hospitality industry,” Dr Kim Scott, the director of VPA’s child resiliency programme, said in a press release.
By surveying the 220 at-risk families already participating in the programme, VPA was able to identify families’ most pressing needs in 22 target communities. These included job loss, financial pressure, food insecurity, and lack of access to remote learning opportunities.
Historically, the former three challenges can all exacerbate rates of domestic violence and abuse – and to reduce the likelihood of that spill-over, VPA altered the existing programme to better support families’ new challenges.
Prior to the pandemic, the child resiliency programme would provide children with a warm meal during their after-school sessions, which included literacy, sports and cultural activities to encourage pro-social behaviours. Now, the programme is delivering regular care packages with basic food items to families, while also providing support to parents over the phone. In addition, VPA is holding small group teaching for children over WhatsApp video, where programme staff are helping children practice their reading and writing skills remotely.
Even so, VPA is still struggling: 50% of the programme’s target families do not have access to the internet, making learning via WhatsApp impossible.
We are in the process of trying to forge partnerships with our local internet providers to assist with the provision of data service for these families. At this critical time, children have no other way to keep up with their learning.
In the meantime, VPA is providing families with educational worksheets and practice booklets. With schools being closed until – at earliest – May 31, organisations, companies and government agencies need to step up to support children’s education.
“Our team has stepped up tremendously in terms of their level of professionalism and has demonstrated their ability to acclimatize to these new circumstances,” Dr Scott said. “They have demonstrated an incredible positive attitude, creativity and initiative and have let go of the confines of their job descriptions and simply risen to the challenge of making a difference.”
VPA’s adjusted child resiliency programme will support families until the end of June 2020. To support this programme and ensure its continuation, contact VPA.
Pictured above: Paul Messam, the coordinator of the Child Resiliency Programme at the Young Men Christian Association, hands a care package to a student in Kingston. Photo courtesy of VPA.
