The Corona-Virus is spreading in several provinces of Mozambique, along previously undiscovered paths. Prevention remains therefore the most important protection for people, because health care is not up to the pandemic. In Chimoio, young people make an important contribution to the fight against the corona virus. They disseminate information and hygiene products that many people cannot afford.
At a little more than 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, sick people were found who had no contact with known cases. Yesterday she succumbed to the firste Person the novel coronavirus: a 13-year-old girl with pre-existing conditions.
In the meantime, the corona virus has also reached the province of Manica. Fortunately, only one person has tested positive so far, a larger wave of infection could still be prevented there. In the provincial capital Chimoio the young people from our partner organisation Centro Aberto de Jesus (CAJ) is now helping the authorities in the fight against the Corona virus. They perform an important service in the city's neighbourhoods.
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 to inform the official Hygiene measures to explain: Keep a distance of 1.5 meters, regularly Wash your hands and cough and sneeze in the crook of your arm. They try to reach as many people as possible to protect themselves against the virus. This is especially important in the countryside, where there is no radio reception, television and newspapers nor much less.
Health care in the rural provinces is very poor and hygiene products are either hard to get or not affordable. Young people in tailoring have therefore produced 1500 simple protective masks from fabric by hand. A craft they learned in our partner project CAJ.
"It is nice that the young people we have trained can now give something back and thus help their environment," says Jonas Wagner-Mörsdorf, the Mozambique programme coordinator.
Almost 100 families have already been cared for and trained in the use of the masks, because they can be reused. But much more important is the regular Wash your hands and disinfect. The young people also make sure that. Zget together with the masksomthe families each have a big bar of soap, a liter Javel Water and a bucket of water to wash your hands. Rural Mozambique lacks the simple things.
Young people have influence
With their initiative, the young people have contributed to Chimoio no panic has broken out so far. «The Warnings were well received and the People take the situation ernst. So far, they have adhered to the hygiene regulations, which is very important," says Jonas. It is important that young people explain to people without radio and newspapers what Corona is and what the measures are supposed to do.
The young people of CAJ have already made a name for themselves with the authorities. «Because of its good expertise and experience, the provincial administration has actively sought contact with the CAJ.ht," says Jonas, "Our partners enjoy also because of their deployment after the hurricanes a year ago.» The activities took community leaders, provincial government officials and local media. Always with the given distance, of course.
Inspection visits are planned to ensure that people comply with the prevention measures and use the material distributed. Jumps just a little bit from the commitment of the young people to the People in Chimoio viathere is reason for hope. Then it remains there in a few isolated cases.
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