As we respond to the COVID-19 crisis, Sinapis is committed to charting new paths for best supporting entrepreneurs engaged with our programs. Various actions have been taken to serve our staff and trainers, current and prospective students, alumni, and the broader faith-driven entrepreneur ecosystem.
STAFF & TRAINERS
With staff and trainers, we moved early to put into place measures to protect their health. Work and training schedules were staggered, staff are observing social distancing if they come into the office and are encouraged to work from home as much as possible.
CURRENT STUDENTS
Courses were suspended until an online solution was implemented. We have rapidly retooled to conduct these courses online through a combination of instructional videos, virtual exercises, live Zoom sessions, and ongoing curated forums.
ALUMNI
Our plans for building a more vibrant alumni community are being accelerated. A new digital platform, live webcasts, and forums for discussion will also be provided to offer entrepreneurs practical ideas on adapting to the new business environment.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
We will also be creating more content in order to serve the entrepreneurial eco-system during this time that will be challenging for many businesses. This will include online webinars and both original and curated articles that we hope will be beneficial in helping entrepreneurs navigate next steps. We have also been increasing collaboration within the broader faith-driven entrepreneur ecosystem in East Africa. Both local and international organizations are collectively exploring how to facilitate a greater flow of financial and other assistance to those Kingdom businesses who have clear missional impact, solid business fundamentals, and strong transformational impact.
Despite the challenges and uncertainty, we are grateful to serve amazing entrepreneurs who are creating companies that bless the lives of those around them. We are confident that the lessons that we are learning through this will bear fruit for years to come.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 and how it impacts your interaction with Sinapis, please email jeanne@sinapis.org.