ZINGO Spreads Messages of Prevention, Hope and Compassion to End Cholera
UNICEF and the Zambia Interfaith Networking Group Organization (ZINGO) join forces to equip religious leaders with cholera prevention education through the Faith in Action Project
“Adding a voice of hope” – this is Pastor Patson Chanda’s goal as a religious leader who is helping to end the cholera outbreak with Zambia Interfaith Networking Group Organization, ZINGO. When cholera hit Zambia, Pastor Patson Chanda and other religious leaders didn’t immediately understand how they would be able to help. However, upon seeing the influence they hold within their church and communities, ZINGO trained leaders from six faith mother bodies in Zambia decided to share cholera prevention messages with their congregations.
Thanks to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), ZINGO has partnered with UNICEF to reach over 300 religious leaders with key cholera information equipping them with the knowledge they need to educate their communities about the disease and how to prevent it.
“We were empowered – I didn’t know much about cholera, but after going to the training I now have a clear picture of what it is,” shared Pastor Chanda.
ZINGO stood out as an organization that Pastor Chanda was interested in joining because it brings together leaders of all different faiths. He is the lead pastor at Jubilee Church, a Christian church made up of around 100-150 congregants with about 60% being young people ages 13-25. The church is centrally located around university areas. Most young people are students from the University of Zambia, University of Lusaka and Chreso University.
Pastor Chanda explained, “Whenever you go for meetings we’re able to meet a Muslim brother or a Hindu brother, and then we’re able to discuss matters and concerns affecting our faith communities.” Pastor Chanda has been a part of ZINGO for over a year now and sees great value in connecting with leaders of other faiths, especially in response to the cholera outbreak, as it allows the message to be spread to a wider community that is inclusive of multiple religions.
“Faith in Action” is the name of the initiative put in place to engage faith leaders in the cholera response. Pastor Chanda explained that it was easy for him and the other leaders to understand because it connects to biblical standards. They began by learning more about what cholera is, how it’s spread or how it can be prevented. Their training focused on prevention to help them equip their congregants with the knowledge they need to prevent it in the future.
As he shared before his sermon,
“Prevention is better than a cure.”
If you attend Pastor Chanda’s service on Sunday, you might hear, “Clean water, amen?” or “It’s all about good hygiene, amen?” To which his congregants enthusiastically respond with a confirming amen. Pastor Chanda shares cholera prevention reminders before his sermons both during the main service on Sunday, and the mid-week service on Wednesday. Not only does he share helpful reminders like treating your water, but he also offers his support if anyone doesn’t know how or has questions. Above all, his messages are connected by a thread of love and compassion. He encourages everyone to, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” and to show that love by spreading messages of cholera prevention with their friends and families. Because he shares, “If your neighbor is infected, you’ll be affected.”
His church leaders also incorporate messages into their small groups where they have more in-depth conversations on cholera. From bible school where children ages five to ten learn about the 3Cs of cholera prevention – which highlight the importance of clean and safe water, clean hands and seeking early care – to youth group meetings where they have candid discussions about cholera and to women’s groups where they share cholera messages in the community, it is clear Pastor Chanda has infused these important messages of prevention into every facet of their church. And it’s working – here at Jubilee Church they haven’t had any cases of cholera.
During their latest youth group meeting, Youth Leader, Cornelis, led a health talk with two medical students in their church. Young people were able to ask them questions related to cholera. This youth-friendly environment gave them a comfortable setting to ask any questions on their mind. Young people were asking everything from how it is contracted, to what environment it thrives in, to what side effects the Oral Cholera Vaccine might have. They were passionate about learning more for themselves and to share with others.
These small groups then go into the community on a weekly basis to connect with community members and share messages about cholera prevention, as well. One of the most impactful messages they’ve shared with others was how to make Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). In communities like Chawama or Matero, they found that there is still a negative stigma surrounding cholera and misconceptions on how to treat or prevent it are vast. On one of his visits, Pastor Chanda learned that not many people were visiting one of the Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs). He found that some people felt shy about going there to receive ORS because they didn’t want others in their community to know. To combat this, Pastor Chanda and the small groups began sharing with them how to make ORS in their own homes.
Jubilee Church is one of many in Lusaka that has been transformed by ZINGO into a powerful agent of change in the fight against cholera. Religious leaders have great influence over their congregation and when equipped with strong cholera prevention messaging, they can play an important role in reaching every member of the community to end the outbreak. ZINGO understands the value of bringing all religions together and knows the impact leaders can have when working together. For “Faith in Action,” this impact is no different. Tapping into existing community programmes and collaborating to strengthen the reach and impact of UNICEF’s messaging is crucial not only to bring an end to this cholera outbreak, but also to prevent outbreaks in the future.
