Updated Friday, 20 March 2020

Last week, Harambee launched our top 10 actions in response to COVID-19 guided by three simple rules to Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind. In 5 days, we learned from 5 surprises:

(1) NOT EVERYONE SAW THE NEWS

After last Sunday’s press conference launching a national disaster response by South Africa’s government, we met work-seekers across the country who hadn’t heard the news. We ramped up our channels of communication with a reach of 530,000 this week. We are working with partners to scale this up even more next week. Young people need daily information that is trusted and accurate.

(2) OUR ‘COVID-19 CORNER’

We learned that our teams really wanted to talk about the virus – not just about the work. They want to know how it is spreading, how it is being treated, and how they can avoid being infected. Before we get to the work, we start our organisation’s Daily Standup Call (joined by 300+ people) with a ‘COVID-19 Corner’ where a group of fact-checkers gather, verify, and share daily information.

(3) CULTURE, CULTURE, CULTURE

We have been inspired to learn from others around the world about new ways of working and staying connected. We’ve tried a few things of our own – remote workouts before calls, a Facebook page for our people at home – and are discovering new ways to #bekind in the virtual world.

(4) IMAGINING NEW FUTURES

We are partnering with our colleagues in government, business, and civil society as everyone works in real-time to imagine and build a new future. This week, we provided input into the country’s plans for economic stimulus and youth empowerment in these uncertain times- so young people can #work4work as the economy recovers.

(5) NEVER MORE TRUE: #CHANGEISTHEONLYCONSTANT!

Things will keep changing, and we will have to do the same. Every day this week reminded us to stay in love with the problem at hand, not be too attached to our solutions.

others and avoid large gatherings (100+ people).