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MASKS FOR MALAWI
Because every community wants to protect their most vulnerable members
MASKS FOR MALAWI
COVID-19 Response
"Can the poor really prevent themselves from Coronavirus without money?"
"If a neighbour's son comes to play, how should we treat him?"
"What do we do if we are far from water and need to touch our face?"
These questions were asked by women from rural communities in Southern Malawi between May and July 2020.
Information will save more lives than medicine in the fight against COVID-19 in Malawi. Communities want information about COVID-19 such as how to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbours.
Malawians are ready to take action, but need support in the form of soap, masks, and actionable information that is adapted to the contexts and resources of their community. Beginning in July, a pilot project began in Mwambo Chiefdom (a rural area of Zomba District, Southern Malawi) to empower communities to protect their vulnerable against COVID and its effects. The project's objectives are to; slow the spread, protect the vulnerable, help community leaders fight stigmatization, engage teens, and support zero-tech home schooling.
Click the link below to read the full report of the project's work and results.
REPORTS AND UPDATES
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Weekly meetings between Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) and community representatives (Chiefs, religious leaders, community health volunteers
Q&A discussions with community leaders
Information posters, placed at water pumps, wells, boreholes, chief's houses, and places of worship by community members
Sale and distribution of masks and soap, which create the community-managed 'Coronavirus Care Funds'
Community Care mapping
'Coronavirus in the community' 5 day simulation exercises
Monitoring the spread
Establishing 'Lifesaver Clubs' to engage the youth
Creativity competitions in the form of poster, story, and poetry competitions to promote awareness and education
Lifesaver Club Obstacle Course