Recent Submissions
No cash accepted here! by Maureen Nyanduko, Kibera, Nairobi
“Cash transactions, even at local stores were restricted during the worst times of the pandemic. Various traders in Kibera demanded their payment through mobile cash transfer and turned us away when we tried to buy essential goods. Not all of us could afford the cost of money transfer and many mobile cash agents ran out of cash float due bad businesses. Even when cash was used, many of us were afraid of getting CORONA from paper money. Life has been quite difficult.”
Masks by Eliza Johnson, 5th grade, Wilmington NC
“COVID has done a lot to us. Every place you go you wear a mask. Everywhere you stay separated. At school, for a while we could not do group work since that was not separated. We always wear masks - to stores, school, and sports. My ears are tired, but it is what you are supposed to do, wear a mask! However, masks have saved people for getting COVID and have helped control the spread.”
My missing birthday by Sadie and Dorothy Thomas, Wilmington NC
Sadie Thomas, 5, and her mother Dorothy, used their design to record their disappointment when Sadie’s 4th birthday party had to be held on Zoom last year, They painted four candles and pictures of their Zoom invitees with blank faces. “We turned off the computer and it was just us,” says Dorothy. It made them both feel better to describe their feelings through painting and see their story featured alongside that of other pandemic sufferers. “We are really thankful to be able to make something that expresses what we went through,” said Dorothy. “It is kind of cathartic to look back at the picture and be like ‘Oh my gosh!’”
The importance of vaccinations, by Abigale Kwamboka, Kangemi, Nairobi
“My embroidery is a special tribute to all the frontline workers and everyone fighting this pandemic. Doctors and nurses are giving it their 110% in fighting COVID-19, like the nurse in my square here who wears a mask and is administering a vaccine. Here are some lessons learned from my COVID-19 experience: Nothing is guaranteed. Not your job, health, or social life. Attitude is everything - stay calm! People are strange and everyone handles emotions differently.Every single moment, every second is a blessing.Our lives can be barren. Appreciate any joy from it.”
Beating back the virus by Caren Mbayaki, Kangemi, Nairobi
“I am a community service provider and my embroidery explains some of the measure put in place by the government and health workers to control the spread of covid 19. When the virus struck us early last year a lot of people were scared and decided to stay indoors. A lot of families experienced Gender Based Abuse Violence. Homes were no longer safe. In my block you can see a police officer on the left forcing citizens to stay indoors. On the right, front-liners are risking their lives to ensure that the virus does not spread further.”
Finding purpose in making masks, by Bobbi Fitzsimmons, Wilmington NC
The pandemic struck North Carolina soon after Bobbi returned from a trip to Asia, and she found the sudden isolation deeply disturbing. But Bobbi is an expert quilter and after getting over the shock she began making masks, for nursing homes, friends and Open Source, a fast-growing network of volunteer mask-makers in her area. In all she has made over 1,300 masks and asked her clients to show their gratitude by donating to good causes. “Sewing these masks gave me the purpose I needed to make me feel less helpless in the face of this pervasive enemy. Sewing these face masks gave me hope.”
From patient to nurse - forget me not, by Amanda Cummings, RSN, Wilmington NC
Amanda, an experienced nurse, has seen pain, suffering and sickness during the pandemic. She used her design to describe the intense relationship between a sick patient and a nurse, and included a poem: “Patient: Forget me not; tell my family that I love them. Nurse: I will forget you not; I will hug my family a little tighter tonight. Patient: Thank you for all that you do. Nurse: I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. Family: They sent flowers for the memorial... they were Forget Me Nots.”
Funerals by Stella Makena, Kibera, Nairobi
“The CORONA pandemic changed many cultural practices, including funerals and weddings. A maximum of 100 immediate family members could attend and you needed a permit from the area administration. The family also had to ensure there was good sanitation and social distancing. Failure to comply was reported by neighbors and several people were arrested. Funerals took place within 48 hours and had to be supervised by a public health official, to limit the risk of more infections. Some burials were even done at night, something that is considered a taboo by many communities in Kenya.”
I love my cat by Victoria Rugo, Wilmington NC
“During the Influenza Pandemic of 2021 there were many things that cause fear and isolation, but my adopted cat “Spot” helped me combat these problems. I was able to laugh at her antics, when there was not much to laugh about. I was able to hug and talk to her when hugging was not allowed and talking limited. I continue to be entertained by her and she makes time move more quickly when every day seems longer than 24 hours and the weeks and months are the same, monochromatic. She is a rainbow.”
Blue heart in memory of my mother, by Connie Moser, Wilmington NC
“A little over ten years ago, I made a quilt for my mother on her 85th birthday. It was a ‘heart quilt, pieced in blue fabric - blue having been her favorite color. In January 2021, my mother passed away soon after testing positive for Covid 19. This block of blue hearts made from remnants of the fabric from the original quilt is a tribute to my mother, a woman loved by many and whose passing has left many family and friends feeling blue.”
Remembering my father, by Ann Kihiu Kangemi, Nairobi
“The piece represents a depiction of the effects of the pandemic on a personal level. Everyone has a story to tell. My square speaks volumes for me since I lost my dad during this covid 19 period. The loneliness and pain of losing my best friend was heartbreaking - hence the girl in the square is broken and isolated due to the rules that have been put in place to curb the virus. No amount of soap can wash away the pain, no amount of social distance can break the bond We shared.”
Disability and COVID, by Rachel Afundi, Kangemi, Nairobi
“I am a single mom of two kids and am physically disabled. On my picture is a person living with disability trying to wash his hands and can't reach the tap. He is trying to follow the covid 19 protocols but seems hard for him when it comes to how the tap was kept very high for such people in the community. More when he touches the wheels as he moves it leads to high risk on the virus. I hear by request that this people living with disability are to be assisted 8n all ways possible to meet the covid 19 protocols.”
Empty restaurants by Diana Adeya, Kangemi, Nairobi
“There was an announcement that only pick-up food from fast food shops was available. Owners of restaurants became hopeless and depressed as their business, their livelihood, went down the drain. Businesses, once a place of joy and happiness with large crowds, were now empty and quiet.”
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! by Judith Chandler, Wilmington North Carolina
Judith’s story describes the emotional ups and downs of remote learning, and how students finally get comfortable with Zoom. Judith’s painting is accompanied by a poem:: “Zoom. It has started. Everyone is here. Will they speak? Zoom again. Today is different. They are relaxed. That girl, so shy. Speaks. She shares. Zoom again and again. They listen. She engages. They know her now. Zoom again and again. She is confident. She too is a member of this class.”
Wedding without guests by Catharine Nyambeki. Kibera, Nairobi
“Due to the lockdown of 2020 till now (March 2021) many Kenyans have been unable to visit let alone see their loved ones. I was not able to attend my sister’s wedding last year which took place in my rural home and I felt really sad. Very few family members attended because only 50 people were allowed into the venue. The rest of us could only watch on social media from our phones and it just did not feel the same.”