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Refugee Camps during COVID-19
admin2020-05-03T13:09:08+00:00Watoto Read needs your support to provide critically needed soaps, masks, and hygiene supplies to the refugee students we serve in Chad. Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Watoto Read has remained in communication with our partner, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), in the refugee camps in Goz Beida, Chad to stay updated on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the refugees.
As of the end of April, there are nearly 35,000 confirmed cases across Africa according to the World Health Organization. These figures are likely underestimated due to variations in reporting and access to healthcare for evaluation, particularly in more remote areas. There is an extreme shortage of physicians across Africa and many African countries do not have hospitals or intensive care beds to care for COVID-19 patients or even access to basic equipment or medicines. Access to ventilators is extremely limited even in the most modern and populated countries. Given the challenging nature of their healthcare system, prevention of spread of COVID-19 is critical. As you can imagine, healthcare resources are even more scarce in refugee camps and given close living quarters, spread of COVID-19 could be catastrophic. Soap and other basic personal hygiene supplies are in critically short supply.
In mid-April, we received an update from JRS that there are presently no cases of COVID-19 in the refugee camps Watoto Read supports; however, there is a serious concern for refugees as there are confirmed cases in communities close to the refugee camps. The government of Chad has closed all the schools in the country including those in the refugee camps. Most refugees live with extended family in one home making the opportunity to practice social distancing extremely limited.
Although the refugee children are not in school in Chad, Watoto Read is committed to helping keep them safe and healthy during this COVID-19 crisis. We have been given an opportunity to partner with JRS in providing soap, masks, and other basic hygiene supplies to help reduce risk of spread of COVID-19. Please consider supporting Watoto Read to help provide soap and basic hygiene supplies to refugees in Chad. All gifts, large or small, make an incredible difference!
February Newsletteradmin2020-02-15T10:21:00+00:00
International Day of Education
admin2020-01-24T01:00:00+00:00
Today, January 24th, is the International Day of Education, a day to recognize and remember the importance of education. The United Nations declared January 24th the International Day of Education in December 2018 to formally recognize that education plays a key role in building peaceful, sustainable and resilient societies. Education contributes to increased productivity of individuals and strengthens the potential for economic growth, develops the skills needed for decent work, develops the professional skills needed for sustainable development, including in the fields of water and sanitation, green energy and the conservation of natural resources, helps to eradicate poverty and hunger, contributes to improved health, promotes gender equality and can reduce inequality, and promotes peace, the rule of law and respect for human rights,
Watoto Read is working hard to address the lack of access to education in refugee camps in Chad, Africa. Did you know that as much as 70% of refugee children don’t complete elementary education?
Join Watoto Read in celebrating the role of education in our global society!
Bench Campaign
admin2019-12-02T22:13:28+00:00Make a difference in the life of a refugee child this Holiday season by providing benches for them to sit & study.
Happy Thanksgiving! November Newsletter
admin2019-11-22T10:45:57+00:00Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on our many blessings… Watoto Read is incredibly grateful for each one of you and for the opportunity to serve the refugee children in Chad, Africa. Thank you for your compassion, love, & generosity. The Watoto Read team would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! May you be blessed with lots of love, laughter, and good food.
Our November Newsletter is out! Please click here to read the newsletter.
October Newsletter
admin2019-10-25T07:43:31+00:00There’s great news for Watoto Read and the refugee children in Chad. Read all about it in the October newsletter.
Celebrating World Refugee Day
admin2019-06-22T20:49:43+00:00Refugees and other forcibly displaced people deserve their right to work, to share their talents, and to earn a living. In our work accompanying refugees around the world, we seek to provide opportunities for them to fulfil their own potential and contribute to society. This World Refugee Day, let’s celebrate refugees building the path forward with their own two hands.
Every year on World Refugee Day, statistics continue to show the gravity of the protracted crises and conflicts that cause an increasing magnitude of displaced people. It’s a day when the challenge of global displacement can seem too overwhelming to approach.
But it is also a day where we can celebrate our displaced brothers and sisters. A day when we can recognise their strength, resilience, and talent, and provide them with assurance that they can rebuild their lives. JRS believes that refugees and displaced people deserve this confidence, along with their right to work, to share their talents, and to earn a living. In our work accompanying refugees around the world, we want to provide refugees with opportunities to fulfil their potential and contribute to society.
June Newsletter
admin2019-06-15T09:44:04+00:00Be sure to check out our latest newsletter for June, by clicking here! We have had an exciting month and lots of great information to share with you!
Also be sure to subscribe to our newsletters to get them directly in your email.
JOIN WATOTO READ & MEET MIREILLE!
admin2019-04-09T18:38:49+00:00Watoto Read will be hosting Dr. Mireille Twayigira, a prior Rwandan refugee, with a very powerful story about how education has changed her life. We invite you to join us to hear her story for yourself!
Saturday, April 13th at 11:30am
Columbus All Nations Church
994 Oakland Park Ave.
Columbus, OH 43224
Sunday, April 14th at 8:00, 9:20, & 11:00am
Centenary United Methodist Church
102 E Broadway
Granville, OH 43023
Sunday, April 14th at 5:00pm
Lewis Center United Methodist Church
1081 Lewis Center Rd
Lewis Center, OH 43035