When the government closed all learning institutions, NairoBits shut its training centres and moved teaching online. Because data is expensive for its students, it paid for daily data bundles, and trainers taught through WhatsApp groups, voice notes and Google Meet.
The pandemic deepened the inequality its students already lived with. NairoBits responded with online programmes on mental health, gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. It ran weekly mental health sessions and had mental health experts on call.
After Kenya's Chief Justice reported a 35% rise in gender-based violence cases during the quarantine period, NairoBits held sessions on domestic violence and healthy relationships.
It kept sharing SRHR information, especially with girls, and referred young people to youth-friendly services and toll-free lines for counselling and psychosocial support, such as the Aunty Jane Hotline.
NairoBits also raised funds for students and families who were going days without food.
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