This blog post from the PLANT online learning community discusses key points from a webinar with partners in the Young ChildrenAffected by HIV and AIDS Initiative
On April 20th, the Hilton Foundation and their Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Partner (Stellenbosch University) hosted a webinar for partners in the Young Children Affected by HIV and AIDS Initiative. The aim of the online meeting was to create a space for dialogue with partners about the initial challenges and solutions in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar is one of many activities hosted through PLANT - the Platform for Learning, Action & Networking for Transition-to-scale that serves as the Initiative’s online learning community.
Lisa Bohmer from the Hilton Foundation opened the discussion, acknowledging shared concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable families and their children. While globally, children have not always been particularly visible in this epidemic, significant efforts have recently been made to include them in the COVID-19 response, such as the United Nation’s policy statement on the impact of COVID-19 on children.
Lisa commended partners in the Young Children Affected by HIV and AIDS Initiative for their efforts to continue to support health care workers, communities and families in light of many restrictions on normal modes of programme delivery, and that the Foundation is committed to support partners to continue their work in flexible ways. “We have been impressed by your general commitments, your flexibility, your creativity – seeing this as both an incredible challenge but also as an opportunity to reach people with COVID-combined nurturing care messages” (Lisa Bohmer, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation)
Presentations during the webinar included:
PLACING PARENTS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Maniza Ntekim, ECD Regional Advisor, UNICEF ESARO
USING MEDIA AND COMMUNITY MAPPING TO REACH VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS IN SIAYA
Elizabeth Omondi, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
BUILDING BACK BETTER: HOW MIGHT COVID-19 HELP RE-SHAPE THE CHILD CARE MARKET FOR THE BETTER?
Sabrina Habib, Co-Founder & Chief Exploration Officer, Kidogo
QUESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE: IMAGINING A WORLD LIVING WITH COVID-19
Lynette Mudekunye, Head of Programmes, REPSSI
COMMUNICATION IS KEY: LOCALLY RELEVANT MESSAGES FOR PREVENTION AND CARE
Svetlana Drivdal, Senior Regional ECD Specialist, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health
PATH Mozambique