Skillshare International Botswana took a leading role to support and equip the refugee community both at the camp and at urban setting in education and sensitization before and during lockdown (1-30 April 2020.
The following details the awareness and response activities carried out during the reporting period:
- Awareness raising of committees
A meeting was held with three different committees at different times during the last two weeks of March. That included the i) youth council, ii) Men on Mission and SASA.
At the initial stage for the Covid-19 preparedness and response, the staff at Skillshare were involved in intensive health education starting from 18th March, 2020. The purpose of the training was to educate staff on COVID 19, its signs and symptoms, who is at risk how it is transmitted and prevention measures. To ensure compliance, a correct way of hand washing was demonstrated to the staff. In mid-March, a committee was formed in Dukwi refugee camp whose aim is to lead sensitization, awareness and response activities and also act as rapid response team in case of any reports of suspected infection. This team is led by the Resident Doctor at Dukwi Refugee camp. The committee comprises all stakeholders in the camp, community leaders and church representatives. The Community Support Officer was elected to represent Skillshare
That entailed preparedness and response activities to prevent the transmission of the virus, hygiene promotion, access to basic services, awareness on myths and prevention of stigma, adherence to extreme social distancing and wearing of masks as well as compliance to stay at home during the lockdown and avoiding unnecessary trips/visiting after lockdown.
- Provision of materials to the community
All 150 households were provided with 2 litres of sunlight liquid soap (1 bottle per family) to mix with water and hang on water dispensers that were constructed from the support of the staff, youth council, and other volunteers from SASA committee. All 150 households were provided with surgical masks for everyone in the family and gloves as well as health education on the importance of social distancing to prevent the Coronavirus
- Construction of water dispensers and promotion of proper handwashing.
The dispensers were installed to promote and educate the public on proper handwashing. Skillshare staff collected bottles from the community outside the camp and water dispensers were constructed at Skillshare, other offices in the camp, shops, pre-school, and at the warehouse. Community education took place at the place.
Hand washing dispensers were constructed with very low cost materials constructed to enable water to flow automatically without one having to touch the bottle but the wooden lever on the ground which acts as a paddle. These were promoted at the shops and the owners obliged.
- Registering of the public at the gate for contact tracing
The Covid-19 protocols were that the refugee camp should be closed for movement of people in and outside the camp. Two Skillshare staff volunteered to be among the other stakeholders registering the general public to control of movement and ensure contact tracing as well as checking temperature.
On the 1st of April, 5 (4 males, 1 female) arrived by truck from D.R.C. As we had a volunteer at the gate, he reported to the police and the resident doctor who immediately advised that they are isolated in a house in the camp. The following day they were transported to Tutume for quarantine at lodge together with the locals as CII was closed to new people during the lockdown. The house they occupied was fumigated. They were tested and released after 14 days as they tested negative to coronavirus.
Follow-ups are still conducted with continuation of health education to ensure that people are washing hands and that bottles are refilled accordingly. This shows that people are educated and therefore it becomes easy for them to comply. In addition, the community is responding well in the use of masks for infection prevention in public places as witnessed by seeing them moving around wearing them.
- Promotion of social distancing
Two funerals were conducted during the reporting period. Community support officer took the chance to educate the community about the importance of compliance social distancing, wearing masks, and wearing gloves when sharing spades when digging the graveyard and refilling the grave. She attended daily prayers to ensure that the members were complying. The community adhered very well through social distancing, washing of hands, wearing of masks, coming in small crowds limited to 50. The awareness continued when the schools reopened after lockdown. Social distancing was prompted by drawing lines on the ground and students were given sanitizers upon entry into the minibus.
Social distancing and sanitising
Students were provided with masks, in the morning before entering the combi they were given sanitizers, their temperature taken and registered, as well as observing 1m social distancing. The marking for social distancing were put in place for students’ easy adherence. The combi is being cleaned with a disinfectant every day. As soon as lockdown was eased in May, Skillshare encouraged the form 3s student to form revision groups as they would be sitting for the examinations at the end of the year. Thirteen students (4 males and 9 females) took the challenge.
The purpose s to help students to catch-up with school work which was disrupted during lockdown. Students help each other with assignments; the tutors assist with topics they are struggling with mainly on maths, English and Science. Students have been encouraged to invite other form 3 as the intention peer approach learning.
- Support to students and staff with airtime
Online tertiary students and staff were assisted with airtime for students to continue studies and staff to work at home during the lockdown. There were 11 (4 females and 7 males) online students as of January to March 2020. By end of March when Botswana Government declared extreme social distancing, students were assisted with internet bundles for the Month of April and May to enable them to continue with their school work at the comfort of their home.
The computer lab was closed end of March to comply with government instructions of closure of all learning institutions in the country. This did not stop learning of students as Skillshare found it fit to buy them internet bundle for them to continue leaning in the comfort of their houses.
From the month of April to June all youth activities were suspended in order to comply with the government’s declaration of lockdown and social distancing to control spread of COVID-19.
- Production and purchase of educational materials
A television set was purchased to support community education of COVID 19. In addition, educational materials on awareness were developed the IT officer and example attachments.
