Block leaders join forces with youth to combat COVID-19

Block leaders in Lilongwe are joining forces with young people and local non-government organisations to help spread the word about how to avoid contracting COVID-19.

Ackimu Katola, block leader for Tsabango 1 Ward block D in Lilongwe, says fighting the virus needs innovative approaches such as working with youth.

Katola says it is not enough to rely on mass media to disseminate important information on how to avoid getting coronavirus. They also have to speak to people face-to-face.

“Most of people in my area have access to radio, television and their phones, which allow them get the messages on COVID-19 without challenges,” says Katola.

“But still, for people to change their behaviour, they need further engagement.  We appreciate the efforts the youth are doing in complementing our efforts.”

The joint efforts of block leaders and young people are being supported by a UNICEF, UKAID and the Story Workshop Educational Trust, a non-governmental organisation that uses mass media, theatre and face-to-face interaction to share development messages and help bring about positive social change.

Flora Symon, a Kaliyeka 1 resident, said after being contacted by young people from the group, Pioneers Arts Youth, she bought a bucket with a tap which she now uses at her place of business, preparing and selling food.

She says the information she was given promoted her to buy face masks for her children and make sure they washed hands with soap whenever they were coming or going from home.

“There were things I was taking lightly,” says Symon.  “I had a feeling that I could not catch the virus but after understanding how the virus is spread, I also bought a bucket for use at my home.”

Kondwani Dzumani, chair for Pioneers Arts, says the work being carried out by block leaders and young people in Lilongwe is essential for making people aware of the risks associated with COVID-19.

“Block leaders are our chiefs here so they are key in our interventions of reaching out to people with preventative messaging,” says Dzumani.

Dzumani says while it is not easy to control people in the urban areas, block leaders were keeping an eye on shop owners and those operating small business.

Katola, the block leader, says the interventions carried out by youth people have helped people running small businesses in his area, showing them how to avoid contracting the virus.

He says while leaders are there to help implement the law, youth and other groups are key in reaching out to individuals, talking about preventative measures.

“As leaders we cannot be going door to door reaching out to people, so we appreciate the interventions being made by the youth, who are supported by Story Workshop, engaging people in their households.”