Celebrating 9 years and counting!
Author: riaan@wecanchange.co.za
April is FunDza's birthday month. This year we had to celebrate being nine years old together but apart.
In the age of COVID-19, video-conferencing is a boon, and it has certainly allowed us to continue to be productive, connected and energised as a team. We started our remote working a week ahead of lockdown, having anticipated the inevitable closures, and having thought of the risks to our staff, many of whom use public transport to get to work.
The move has been surprisingly smooth, and we've developed some routines that we'd like to continue - even when social distancing is not a priority. The first thing in the morning check-ins have become a not-to-be-missed event where we can support each other as a team and ensure smooth workflows and processes. We are so proud of how every team member has stepped up to take on responsibility and has contributed to the creative problem-solving processes that are needed in these uncertain and changeable times.
It is perhaps busier than ever, as we have tried to be even more responsive to our readers and writers, online and offline. We have used the opportunity to experiment and do things differently. One of our 'innovations' has been our 'Soul Food' publication (more here), that is making its way into food parcels; another has been adding more courses on to fundza.mobi, including a re-run of the hugely popular 'Moving Up with the Majolas' financial literacy course in partnership with Momentum Metropolitan Foundation (more here); and, yet another has been our 'Lockdown Live' feature running on the fundza.mobi with ideas of things to do each day that promote reading, writing, learning, taking care of one's self and others, and living well too (read about this here). Readers have responded enthusiastically. As one wrote:
"Thank you fundza for keeping some of us sane. I really appreciate your material I love the fact that your app is free thank you the stories are awesome and hit home eveytime. I think everyone should have this App on their phone. big up FunDza"
The crisis has also given us an opportunity to connect with other organisations and partners to collaborate on new projects, or to look at challenges from a fresh perspective. We look forward to seeing these new developments take shape in the coming weeks and months.
Until then, please read our news reports below, and stay in touch through our online channels on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
With love from the FunDza Team!
Mignon, Dorothy, Ros, Dawn, Nandi, Alonzo, Zilungile, Marché, Ndibulele, Lukhanyo, Asithandile, Amber, Tamica, Busiswa, Siki, Xoli, Steve, Rayelene, Brian and Ruby
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