Lockdown: Urban and Rural Differences

Lockdown rules and enforcement vary in communities where GSGC works. Whether quarantined in towns, cities or the countryside, Mentors are finding different ways to keep in touch with their club members and help them manage daily life.

Rural

As the coronavirus pandemic started, we realized we needed to make a concerted effort to help the girls and boys keep studying. Immediately when schools closed, we arranged to meet with our girls on different days of the week, according to their age groups. We managed this for three weeks, but had to stop when cases in Zimbabwe grew.

We were able to meet because we have a big yard, and rural areas are less strict than in cities. We managed to maintain social distancing. Government has extended the lockdown by 14 days, but now is allowing formal workplaces to open. We see this as an opportunity to reconnect with the girls.

— Sfe Sebata, Mentor, Rise N Shine, Lupinyu, outside Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We decided to extend our support by following the girls in their homes. Below are the projects or activities that are given to them so that they may be kept busy and not to indulge in unacceptable behavior.

Academic work: This is given to make them not forget what they learnt at school. The subjects are English, Social Studies, and two special papers. This is using the standardized syllabi of Zambia. I am able to do this because I am a teacher by profession. Though I have specialized in two subjects, I can help with others.

Creative work: It is centered on our club’s three main objectives, which are boosting self-confidence, increasing self-esteem and raising girls’ literacy levels.

Individualized counseling: This is to make them realize the potential they have in fighting the problems they face and not to lose hope by withdrawing.

Activities alternate each week. Every activity is recorded on a register.

— Prisca Sakala, Mentor, Yosefe Girls Club, Mfuwe, Zambia

At Sisonke Boys Club, we have finally found a way to continue meeting with the boys despite the prevailing situation of the COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing. We have established a garden as a way of combating the hunger challenges. The rural environment allows movements to a certain extent, so to get the boys involved, we have created a roster, meeting only two boys at a given time.

This gives us an opportunity to educate the boys about what COVID-19 is and measures of prevention. We will also be handing them pamphlets to take home and educate their families. Being in the rural area and with limited resources, it is hard for them to know what government is doing since everything is communicated through media, which most of them have no access to.

Me being part of the (Victoria Falls area) rapid response team offers an (access) to reliable information about COVID-19. Most importantly, we are able to help and work with the boys at a time they need us the most.

— Nyika Muyambo, Mentor, Sisonke Boys Club, outside Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Urban

We decided to do something for our members and their families, as we know they have little income to obey the hygiene rules set to protect against this pandemic. In some families, parents will be going back to work under lockdown level 4, so we thought it would be wise to help with sanitizers and masks so they can at least be protected when going out.

During the awareness time with our students, we invited our ward counselor so they will remember we exist and need their assistance as a disadvantaged community.

— Bongeka Juca, Masizakhe Youth Art Project, Cape Town, South Africa

In Livingstone, we have strict rules on isolation. Only essential workers are allowed to go for work and to move about. The rest of us are encouraged to stay home, so most of our girls are not allowed by their parents to leave home. The only way we can keep in touch with them is through texts, WhatsApp calls, WhatsApp chats and Messenger. During free data periods, we call them and text them at least three times a week to keep them informed about COVID-19. The girls who do not have phones with WhatsApp and Facebook, we call them through their parents’ numbers. We remind them of the topics we talk about in club meetings so that we can avoid teenage pregnancies.

— Racheal Musonda Ng’Andu, Believe Club, Livingstone, Zambia