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With the spread of the new coronavirus affecting other counties and also in Ghana, the SOS Children’s village Asiakwa makes visits to communities in SOS families living there on how to stay safe and healthy to protect themselves against the disease. 

During a visit some communities in New Tafo, Old Tafo and Kukurantumi in the Eastern region, the SOS intervention programme under the Programme Director Mr. Daniel Baani and the Family Strengthening Coordinator Josephine Afrawuah along with a team have shared 1,000 face masks to adults and children as preventive measures against the novel Coronavirus.

While sharing the face masks, Mrs. Josephine Afrawuah told all those present, ‘Everyone must wear a face mask, and you can be arrested if you do not do this; It is because of this that the SOS community intervention programme is sharing so many facial masks.

These are not the only things we are sharing, but there are also ‘Veronica’ buckets, hand sanitizers among others. We hope that you will practice social distancing and also wash your hands as often as possible, as this can help you to fight against the disease.

The team also gave vitamins to the aged present and taught on how to protect them against the disease.

Mr. Omani Antwi Boasiako who is part of a team made up of SOS staff and the St. Peters Care for Malaria also made visits to communities to give them face masks, hand sanitizers, hand washing materials and also to other communities it works in; like the Abuakwa North Municipal Assembly and to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

‘This donation exercise also covers teachings on the spread of the virus; ways in which the virus transfers from one person to the other as well as protective measures against the virus. The team also shares ‘Veronica’ buckets, hand washing soaps and tissue

By sharing these things to the New Tafo and Kukurantumi; taxi stations, chief palace, and other places in the communities; this is a way of spreading the message to the communities.’ 

Mr. Omane Antwi Boasiako and the team also visit three families. He says, ‘Over 100 people who live near these communities now have water, soap, and other things which will help them stay safe and healthy; kids living with their mothers can use these  25 Veronica buckets through this exercise.’

He also says that, ‘To help families know about the preventive measures, the team gives out these messages to them on pen-drives.

The message is about COVID 19; it tells the people that even though there is no cure for COVID 19, they can protect themselves from getting the disease by washing their hands with soap every 20 minutes. It also says people should not gather in crowds.

It also tells the people to cover their mouths when they cough as this can cause the transfer of the virus. The message also tells them what to do when they think someone has the disease. This message will reach more than 200 people in other communities too.’

The team also visits other families in the communities to talk to the families in the homes; this is to show them how to prepare well during the COVID 19 pandemic.

‘It is important to guard yourself and your family against this virus as it spreads very fast.’ After this education, the families can now explain how the virus spreads and talk about ways to control the spread of the disease.’

Rebecca Asantewaa and her six children can now protect themselves from the disease. Martha smiles and says, ‘I am happy about this visit because I now know a lot of things about the virus, and I also know how to stay safe and protect my family.’

Speaking after the training, one of the care-givers says, ‘Thanks to SOS, I now know how COVID 19 spreads. I know that we must not shake hands or gather in crowds to talk.’

‘I want to tell everyone to cover their mouths with a tissue when coughing and put it in a bin; don’t use your hand, since the virus can get to another person when you hold them. Also have a good space between the two of you when you are talking to someone.’ She adds.