Marie Louise Dikga

COVID-19, My Unprecedented Challenge

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was enjoying customer service work at Air Canada, along with all the travel privileges. I love travelling. That job was a must because I could have travelled anywhere in business class at an insignificant cost. I also used to be a French-language monitor in a French immersion primary school, enjoying play in French with my young students in many ways. I love children. I am a mother of three angels. A busy mum, but happy with my life and confident with my family’s future.

And, one day, it happened. COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic that put the entire world in lockdown. In March, things started to become difficult, bad, and then worse. I lost my job at the airport and school. I had to manage my three children at home, as daycare, school, and all program activities were closed. The loss of my job affected my income and my joy considerably. My husband also lost his job, and it was really hard to manage the household. My elder sister had come from Africa to visit. I was scared that this pandemic would infect her or my family members. But God is good. He protects us from this disease, and until now, we are saved and grateful.

Homeschooling was another big issue. Assisting my children with their online classes, helping them with their homework, and organizing home activities in the same environment was an unprecedented challenge. The situation stressed me out. But I’m confident that God will make a way, even where there seems to be no way because he works in ways we cannot see.