Covid Project Report

Executive Summary

Project Title: Making up for the Lost Social Time (Post COVID)

It was almost two years after the COVID pandemic, The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severe health effects and serious implications for social development. Social life and activities were put on hold during the pandemic which has affected many people mentally, socially, physically, and economically. As our communities begin to reopen and the COVID restrictions are lifted; parents, caregivers, children, and the elderly have lost much socializing time.

Objectives

• Increase social interaction after post-COVID restrictions.

• Reduce stress and anxiety that contribute to mental health issues.

• Reunite with other communities

The Project

• Outdoor Sports activities –. Organized sports activities for four immigrant communities (Liberian, Cameroonian, Ghana, and Somali) and basketball games for youth.

• Indoor Night of Dance – display of cultural dance and music to connect and improve social interaction with community members.

• Health screening by Spectra Health.

Outcome

We had four teams comprising of players from the Liberian, Cameroonian, Ghanian, Somali and mixture of players from the Nepali and Spanish communities played soccer games. Each team was provided a color t-shirt with its community name printed on it. The Liberian community soccer team won the soccer competition, followed by the Ghanaian team in second place. We presented trophy and medals to the teams. The event was attended by more than 250 people from Grand Forks and surrounding areas including Fargo. We also had a DJ playing cultural music to lift the spirit of attendees. The Liberian community provided food such as barbecue, hamburger, hotdogs, donuts, cornbread, and drinks for the event. The outdoor activities started at 2PM and ended at 6;30PM.

The outdoor activities started in the night at 8PM in the event hall that we rented. The United African Community joined the Liberian community to celebrate the Liberian Independence Day since it was a collaboration to host the events together. The event was also well attended and had music, dances, singing and the Liberian Community prepared cultural foods to share with the attendees. Both outdoor and indoor activities attracted more people and was successful. The project expectation was met.

We appreciate the presence of Sargam Ghimire from the Health Dept at outdoor event, and we are glad to have Public Health and Spectra Health representatives to attend the indoor event and mounting a health information desk.

We are looking forward to organizing another event like this next year.