2020

Where are you working at the moment?

From home (in Cape Town, South Africa).

Has your work been strongly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic?

Only a little, in terms of education and training activities.

How has it been impacted?

It has curbed our public education and organising/fieldwork activities and we’re still struggling to adapt to doing online courses.

How have you managed these changes?

Regular Zoom and WhatsApp meetings.

What are the specific challenges?

Data for project participants and them not accessing technology such as smartphones or laptops is a challenge. But for the majority it has been a good experience. Data cost was paid for from other line items that we would have used for public events such as travel and food, and therefore not a problem.

Does this change the way you operate and plan?

Not fundamentally, only the medium for communication and meeting.

Can you give us some examples of positive aspects of your work at the moment? Are there good things that have happened?

Co-operation between colleagues has been much tighter and regular meetings held with greater accountability. New skills have been learnt, especially online facilitation, but much more is still needed.

What advice and support do you have for others?

Just stick it out and pray that we all survive.