The Corona-Virus is spreading in several provinces of Mozambique via previously undiscovered routes. Prevention remains therefore the most important protection for people, as healthcare is not up to the pandemic. In Chimoio, young people are making an important contribution to the fight against the coronavirus. They are distributing information and hygiene products that many people cannot afford.
With just over 9300 tests In suspected cases, no one can say exactly how many of the 30 million people in Mozambique are actually infected. The virus is spreading under the radar of the authorities. Only a few days ago, infected people were found who had no contact with known cases. Yesterday the firste person the novel coronavirus: a 13-year-old girl with pre-existing conditions.
The coronavirus has now also reached the province of Manica. Fortunately, only one person has tested positive so far, so a larger wave of infection could still be prevented there. In the provincial capital of Chimoio, young people from our partner organization Centro Abert are helping o de Jesus (CAJ) are now helping the authorities in the fight against the coronavirus. They are providing an important service in the city’s neighborhoods.
As many people as possible
Two dozen young people are currently going from house to house every day to make people aware of the danger and the official hygiene measures measures: keep a distance of 1.5 meters, regularly Wash your hands and cough and sneeze into the crook of your arm. They try to reach as many people as possible so that they can protect themselves against the virus. This is particularly important in rural areas, where there is no radio reception, much less television and newspapers. much less.
Healthcare in the rural provinces is very poor and hygiene products are either hard to come by or unaffordable. Teenagers in tailoring have therefore produced 1500 simple protective masks by hand from fabric. A craft that they learned at our partner project CAJ.
“It’s great that the young people we have trained can now give something back and help their communities,” says Jonas Wagner-Mörsdorf, the program coordinator for Mozambique.
Almost 100 families have already been supplied and trained in the use of the masks, as they can be reused. But much more important is the regular Washing and disinfecting hands. The young people also take care of this . Zogether with the masksomthe families each receive a large bar of soap, a liter of Javelin water and a bucket of water for washing hands. In rural Mozambique, there is a lack of simple things.
Young people have influence
With their initiative, the young people have contributed to the fact that in Chimoio panic has not yet broken out in Chimoio. “The warnings were well received and the people take the situation seriously. So far, they have adhered to the hygiene regulations, which is very important,” says Jonas. It is important that the young people explain to people without radio and newspapers what Corona is and what the measures are for.
The young people from CAJ have already made a name for themselves with the authorities. “Because of their good expertise and experience, the provincial administration has actively sought contact with CAJ,” says Jonas.tion with CAJ,” says Jonas, “Our partners enjoy also enjoy a high reputation because of their efforts after the hurricanes a year ago.“ During the activities The local authorities, employees of the provincial administration and the media were on site for an inspection. Always with the prescribed distance, of course.
Inspection visits are planned to ensure that people are complying with the prevention measures and using the material distributed. Just a little bit of the young people’s commitment will be passed on to the people in Chimoio overthere is reason for hope. Then it remains there in a few individual cases.
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