Definitely My New Normal
By Mical Imbukwa, Nairobi, Kenya
The aroma of 2020 was beautiful. Many saw themselves achieving their goals and aspirations. “Huu ni mwaka wa bwana na lazima tutabarikiwa” (This is the year of the Lord and we must be blessed), many said. Plans were made, but COVID-19 happened, and everything, for many, came to a standstill.
I am a journalist by profession, and for some months before COVID, I was involved in a lot of freelance writing. Most of my writing was drawn from interviews with corporates. Due to some of the measures that were put in place to try and combat the COVID-19 crisis, my interviews were unceremoniously ended. I, however, had to think of ways to keep the writing alive.
Besides my writing job, I had landed an opportunity at an organization called World Merit Kenya, which is in the process of setting up base in our country. World Merit Kenya is on a mission to end extreme poverty, fight gender inequalities, and control the climate crisis, with the United Nation’s Social Development Goals as a blueprint. Our target audience is slums, the vulnerable in Eastlands, refugees, and other marginalized communities. This means that plenty of on-ground activities are involved. The COVID-19 measures interfered with everything, and we were not able to kick-off operations as anticipated.
As an organization, we had to think of ways of working with the pandemic to create impacts. We have therefore taken advantage of the online space, and we are doing a lot of sensitization on COVID-19, gender based violence, and mental health, among other topics. We do a lot of Zoom meetings to keep things moving, and we have seen a lot of progress.
Yes, times are tough, the situation is tense all over the world, and so many are hopeless, but I choose to focus on the positives. In fact, I can proudly say that I have gotten re-introduced to self. I got into a workout routine with friends, and we keep each other updated on our progress via WhatsApp, every evening. My mind has become healthier, and I have become more productive.
Even though we work from home, my efforts were noticed, and I received a promotion. From a Director of Humanitarian Aid, I am now the Assistant Programs Coordinator and Head of Communications. For me, there is no going back to normal. My present normal is what I want to live with post COVID-19, and yes, 2020 is still the year I will achieve my goals.