With the current pandemic, it can be easy for countries to focus primarily on themselves. The coronavirus is a pressing issue, but that does not mean that all of the other issues in the world have gone away. In fact, the coronavirus compounds many of these issues as well as takes focus away from their solutions. Deaf children in Zimbabwe are an example of those who still need help despite the focus being on the pandemic. COVID-19 has shut down economies and closed off borders between nations. Necessary aid for these children has not been able to reach them as well as before. They still need to progress in their education with teachers who know how to teach and work with deaf children.

Poverty in Zimbabwe is no friend to the deaf children in Zimbabwe. Families are unable to send their children to special schools because they cannot pay for them. Also, education is such an important component of raising a country out of poverty. This is because educated people are more likely to get higher-paying jobs to support their families and to boost the economy.

Facts about Poverty in Zimbabwe

After seven years, twice as many people lived in extreme poverty as of 2019. The poverty rate in Zimbabwe as of 2019 was 34%. As in many countries, poverty affects the parts of the country outside of cities the most. Of the children that live in these areas, over 70% are impoverished. Malnutrition is also a serious problem; as of 2019, food insecurity affected nearly half of Zimbabwe.

The Nzeve Deaf Center

The Nzeve Deaf Center is a nongovernmental organization that teaches deaf children in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe how to use sign language. It also teaches them how to survive in the world as a deaf person. It not only teaches the children but is also involved with their families so that the children can have nurturing environments in school and at home. Manicaland is one of the poorest areas of Zimbabwe in regards to the children there.

Nzeve’s Help During COVID-19

Additionally, Nzeve will provide economic relief for families who wish to send deaf children to school. It will teach them ways to make money to pay for their children’s schooling as well as lower the cost of school. Deaf children still need to keep up with their studies while staying in quarantine. Therefore, Nzeve will teach them until they are able to go back to school. Nzeve also reaches out to fellow NGOs, informing them and others about helping disabled children.

In conclusion, the negative effects of COVID-19 have affected Zimbabwe tremendously. The poverty rate has increased because of the external factor of the worldwide shutdown that caused internal factors such as unemployment. Countries do have to focus on their own people in order to protect them and to stop the spread of the virus within their borders. However, there are people in other countries like Zimbabwe who still need help, especially with the current coronavirus crisis. Specifically, the deaf children in Zimbabwe still need access to education, and their families still need help paying for that education. Nzeve has accepted the challenge of helping these children to have a brighter future.

– Moriah Thomas
Photo: Flickr