SAWBO RAPID STEPS UP COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN KENYA
By Gabriel Ingubu.
Photo by Gabriel Ingubu. Mr Eliud Mayende, Market Master Bukembe Market watching SAWBO RAPID video.
It’s midmorning of a sunny Saturday at Bukembe market approximately 15 kilometers from Bungoma town along Webuye Malaba road, famously referred to as the Northern corridor road connecting the port of Mombasa and landlocked countries on East Africa block; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and Southern Sudan. Bukembe market is considered one of the hotspot areas because it’s also a resting area for long distance track drivers.
On my way to the market, I find it’s already a beehive. Saturday is a market day. From the parking lot to the open air selling points to the enclosed shops and stalls, activities are at peak. Since the government, through the ministry of health, gave COVID–19 protocols, things aren’t the same as the way they used to be way back before the pandemic engulfed Kenya. Hand washing at every shop door, and strictly “No mask, No entry’’ rules are fully observed.
I head straight to the office of the market master in the center of the market, who is now referred to as the revenue officer, to find out how the running of the market is during this pandemic and seek permission to share SAWBO RAPID videos to the market men and women. Scientific Animation without Borders (SAWBO) videos are designed to pass information with sound and animations to users through smartphone mobile, laptops, and other electronic devices that supports visual content.
Feed the Future Scientific Animations without Borders Responsive Adaptive Participatory Information Dissemination Program (SAWBO RAPID) has produced animations identifying critical food security topics and delivering knowledge to mitigate COVID-19’s secondary economic impacts, including disruption to trade, supply chains and markets. The project is based at Michigan State University and Purdue University in the U.S.A, funded by USAID under the Feed the Future initiative, and supported by the USAID Kenya Mission. The SAWBO library contains over 1000 animations on 100+ different topics in over 240 language variants reaching over 50 million known viewers. Visit the SAWBO website for more information.
Adjacent to the office of the market master, two law enforcers are sitting in their office passing time as they chat in low tones. In full jungle green combat, black berets, and black boots, the officers are sitting in the opposite direction. Upon my entry come introduction, the officers get excited to watch the video on my laptop before downloading the file link to their phones. ``Proper use of face masks’’ in Kenyan English and Swahili languages variants are the main ones I am using to demonstrate how to reach the SAWBO RAPID file link.
Mr. Remmy Wachiye sitting on the host chair keenly follows the video step by step. At the end of the video, Mr Wachiye stares direct into my eyes and says, “If every seller on this market could have had a chance to watch this video, we could have had a very easy time in enforcing the mask law to them. We all know that it is important to put on masks for corona prevention but this is the most detailed way to educate any Kenyan on the usefulness of masks. Will you leave me a copy of this?’’
“Yes, I will help you download one direct to your phone.’’ I replied.
Standing up, Mr. Wachiye asks, “would you please let me call for you some traders in here for the same?’’
“No thank you,’’ I replied. “Let me go to their stalls and shops. You may just escort me if you are free. I need at least twenty people to watch and download too,’’ I added.
Photo by Gabriel Ingubu. Mr. Remmy Wachie law enforcement officer at Bukembe market Bungoma County watching SAWBO video animation.
At this rural market, the law enforcement team disciplines those people who come to the market without masks by sending them away harshly. This is because most people believe that COVID-19 is a disease that targets rich people and those who live in urban centers which is not true. The government of Kenya published the law in April 2020 which imposes a fine of KSh20,000 and a jail term of six months, or both, for anyone found not wearing a mask in public as a preventative measure against the spread of the pandemic.
No sooner did we step out of the office than we bumped into the market master coming from the market on his routine checks back to his office. In a deep happy voice, Mr Wachiye introduced me and explained to him all about the video as we walked to his office.Eliot Mayende the market master, watched the video. “This is good, I think all my staff should watch it. Is that possible?’’
“Yes, it’s very possible, Mr. Wachiye now knows all the steps in downloading it, it’s very easy. He can simply share the link with them via WhatsApp then direct them in the downloading process.” I explained.
“Yaa. That’s fine, so you were leaving?” he asked.
“No, I was going to individual selling points to share with them,” I responded.
“Please do so to as many as you can sir,” he said.
“Thank you!” I said as I left.
Photo by Gabriel Ingubu. Ms Mirriam Mwangi , a shopkeeper at Bukembe Market Downloading SAWBO file
Proper use of facemasks isn’t the only video available on the download link. The file also directs you to other informative videos like, “How to Manage Your Market Safely during the Coronavirus Pandemic” which Mr. Mayende the market master chose to watch.
This video will help a market master or leader like Mr. Mayende to ensure the market stays safe for everybody because it provides recommendations that help ensure the market stays open and provides the community with supplies and food, and vendors keep receiving their business income. Mr. Mayende stated that he was going to take action to reduce coronavirus in his market by following all the recommendations provided in the video. These include:
Three things we can all do to slow the spread of coronavirus in our community.
• First: Properly wearing a clean mask that snugly covers your mouth and nose helps reduce coronavirus germs from being released into the air. Wearing a mask can also reduce your chance of inhaling these germs and helps everyone in your community stay healthy.
• Second: Washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water will eliminate germs. If available, be sure to use a paper towel to turn off the water or you may put germs back onto your clean hands. If you cannot wash your hands, regularly use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes as much as possible.
• Third: distance yourself from others not part of your household by two meters, which is a bit more than two arms’ length or by the distance recommended by your local authorities. This distance can reduce exposure to coronavirus droplets in the air from infected people.
As a market leader, Mr Mayende will take special actions to reduce coronavirus exposure in his market. Some notable actions Mr. Mayende wants to enact are:
• Cleaning surfaces daily with soap and water and a sanitizer of a dilute bleach solution used according to government standards. When using a sanitizer, follow the products’ directions as printed on the label and ensure it is safe for use around food.
• Having vendor’s s clean and sanitize all market areas both before opening the market and at the end of the market day.
• Providing effective hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers must contain at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropyl alcohol; methanol in hand sanitizers is dangerous and should not be used.
• Where possible, providing an area in the market for hand washing. Post signs that show proper hand washing. Ensure that soap and paper towels for drying hands and turning off the tap are available.
• Separating tables and stalls with at least two meters between other vendors' stalls on all sides.
• Restricting access into the market by anyone who is sick. Asking vendors to have a plan on who they could send to manage their stall if they or someone from their household becomes sick.
Importantly, remember:
• Clean and sanitize surfaces throughout the day
• Wash hands or use hand sanitizer regularly
• Have everyone properly wear a clean mask
• Stay two meters away from one another, or the distance recommended by your local authorities.
Other market videos that I want to encourage you to watch are:
1. COVID-19: How to Sell Safely in the Marketplace during the Coronavirus Pandemic
2. COVID-19: How to Shop Safely in the Marketplace during the Coronavirus Pandemic
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Disclaimers:
Note: The information and content in the video (content) should not substitute for professional or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any kind. Michigan State University, Purdue University, and SAWBO disclaims responsibility or liability for any loss or injury that may be incurred as a result of the use of any content included in the video. Viewers and users of the video should always consult a physician or other professional for diagnosis, treatment and/or advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the content of this video.
SAWBO RAPID is funded through a grant from Feed the Future, the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative. This blog article was made possible through support provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development under the terms of agreement no. 7200AA20LA00002. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International development or the U.S. government.
Nice read. We should embrace technology in fighting Covid
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