With help from Anike Foundation, Rural Urban Charitable Association (RUCA) secured a $5,000 grant from Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to distribute materials and conduct sensitization of communities to stop the spread of COVID-19 in The Gambia.

ABOUT RUCA

Founded in 2014, RUCA is a Gambian nonprofit organization focusing on humanitarian relief and development, and more specifically, working to support women and children in education.

Fearing that many people were politicizing the threat of COVID-19, RUCA’s Project Manager, Lamin Ceesay, expanded RUCA’s mission to increase awareness about the disease and introduce precautionary measures to The Gambia’s less privileged communities.

COVID-19 PROJECT

Due to a lack of resources and medical personnel, The Gambia is highly vulnerable to COVID-19. This COVID-19 project focused on rural areas in The Gambia, which have only a few medical facilities and are, unfortunately, not equipped to handle the rapid spread of COVID-19.

When schools in The Gambia reopened, RUCA’s COVID-19 project enabled the distribution of face masks to classrooms and health centers. It introduced and encouraged proper hygiene practices, such as hand washing, to prevent infection and spread.

LOCATION

The distribution of COVID-19 materials and sensitization activities were conducted in the following locations:

Keneba Arabic School in Kiang West (500 students)

John Pickering Lower Basic School (1500 students)

Sinchu Baliya Lower Basic School (2400 students)

Banjulnding Health Center, the only public health facility in the Lamin Wardof Kombo North District.

IMPLEMENTATION

The program lasted six months and included two phases:

1. Sensitization and awareness building

Sensitization on COVID-19 preventative measures was put into place by The Gambia’s Ministry of Health. This included a demonstration on the correct way to use sanitizers and wash hands, the sharing of basic facts regarding Covid-19 prevention, and opportunities for the community to ask questions.

2. Distribution of sanitary and protective materials

COVID-19 protection and awareness materials were developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Distributed items included face masks, hand sanitizers and liquid soap.

At each distribution location, project members wore T-shirts, which featured the AHF and RUCA logos. They displayed an inspiring message: “Stopping COVID-19 Together.”

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT

During the COVID-19 Project’s six months, the project benefited more than 10,000 people. Of those 10,000 people, approximately 80% were women and children – the poorest and those in most need of informational resources and protective materials.

Without a doubt, this project has positively slowed the transmission of COVID-19 in The Gambia. Additional funding will only further limit new infections, avoid overwhelming medical facilities, and protect the health of communities.

CONCLUSION

The $5,000 grant from Aids Healthcare Foundation has helped RUCA fight COVID-19 in various locations in The Gambia. With further sensitization efforts and the distribution of more sanitary and protective materials, we can Stop COVID-19 Together! To reach even more locations, please support Anike Foundation and RUCA. Click our “Donate” button below.