Educating young Zambians for a better future

Cecily’s Fund Response to COVID-19 

Cecily’s Fund takes the threat of COVID-19 on our staff and programmes in Zambia very seriously and have put in place measures to protect the health and safety of our UK staff, local Zambian partners, and beneficiaries in the communities we serve.

Based on UK Government guidance our UK office is currently closed and the Cecily’s Fund staff team is now working remotely so that we can continue operations as much as possible given the current circumstances in the UK and Zambia.

Because of the high risk of spreading the virus within the communities where Cecily’s Fund’s projects take place, we have decided, in consultation with our local partners, that all project activities are temporarily stopped to protect the most vulnerable children and families. An emerging need to put in place prevention strategies has replaced long-term programme activities, as well as providing emergency food and health parcels for the poorest families, should Zambia experience full lockdown.

Cecily’s Fund is in a strong position to use its expertise to put in place preventative measures that will lower the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the communities in which we operate. As a result, we have been forced to prioritize an emergency humanitarian response and adapt our programming to support the immediate needs of our beneficiaries.

We can directly reach those most in need through local partners who know the families and children who are the most vulnerable, enabling Cecily’s Fund to avoid bureaucracy and respond quickly and urgently to protect children and their families.

We are closely monitoring the situation in Zambia, which has already begun to report cases of COVID-19 in Chazanga compound, a densely populated community where some Cecily’s Fund activities take place. We thank you for your patience and understanding and will provide updates to our response when we are able.

Cheryl Hooper
Director