Covid-19 education impact on Lesotho
@17gracemalealea (252)
Maseru, Lesotho
May 7, 2020 12:53am CST
This morning radio news reported that herd boys refused to use sanitizer at one small shop. They said Covid-19 cannot infect them.
Lesotho revenue comes from wool and mohair which is the main source of income for rural community. The herd boys live in remote areas with large herds. of sheep, goats and cattle. They hardly think of washing their bodies and hardly hear any news, let alone television. This mean Covid-19 is therefore a myth for them. Lesotho Government must find means to reach this community. The challenge is that most of them are not literate therefore the ideal education approach is to have face to face meeting with visible teaching aids for them to know and understand the reality of the pandemic.
Herd boys look after the valuable commodity and their need for education is a serious threat if not attended urgently. This situation is likely to apply in other African countries.
How can WHO approach rural communities towards education on Covid-19?
5 people like this
6 responses
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
7 May 20
The herd boys are probably not be privy to the pandemic, by reason of their lack of education or lack of care about what's going on in the wide, wide world. Since Lesotho is landlocked, it could be possible that the novel coronavirus has not reached the site. I do hope the tiny shop is not connected much into the outside world.
Albeit I agree that these herd boys need education and sanitation. I mean hygienic practices.
2 people like this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
I agree on your observations about geographical position. Lesotho as a whole has no reported case therefore some people living at urban areas including border towns cannot comprehend Covid-19 deadliness. Some even believe the myths about local herbs being effective prevention.
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@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
7 May 20
@17gracemalealea I am glad. I hope it stays that way so that the herd boys will not be impeded from doing their work.
Yes, since there is no vaccine yet, the herbal medicine is advisable to prevent one's self from catching the infection. The focus now is to improve one's physical health condition by nourishing one's self with organic anti-toxin food stuff. Myanmar, if I recall correctly, says saluyot is effective for CoViD-19 prevention and cure.
One of our saluyot plant in a container. Shows here are the unopen flowers and young fruits.
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
@eileenleyva
I would like to learn more about preventative herbs though I wonder if that kind of talk is allowed in this forum.
Thank you my sister!
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@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
7 May 20
They should but actually it isn't possible for them to handle everything at such a short notice
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
It is true. This could be part of the future public health education plan. Meantime chiefs could help as suggested.
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
@amitkokiladitya
You are right. There is a lot of urgent issues to address especially loss of jobs and prevention strategies.
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@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
7 May 20
@17gracemalealea Maybe .but I feel at present they have a lot many things to take care of at present
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
8 May 20
It is truly amazing how sometimes literate people make choices that endanger others like choosing to eat wild animals! I hope one day the truth will revealed on the source of covid-19.
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
8 May 20
@DianneN
It is likely to be sooner. Other countries are backing up America ...they want to know how covid-19 got out of China so easily to kill so many people.
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@arunima25 (87861)
• Bangalore, India
7 May 20
We can not blame them for their ignorance. They are not well connected to current happenings in world and are not well educated. WHO and concerned organizations have to make all effort to reach them.
We have such ignorant population among modern city dwellers too who think that Covid 19 will not effect them for certain reasons that have no logic. They do not follow guidelines and precautions and put many to risk.
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
That is truth however unpleasant. Positive impact would surely require joint effort with government to undertake such education campaigns.
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
Great observation!
God advised us to seek Him and involve Him in our plans. Unfortunately we seek Him only when we face situations like Covid-19.
@Helikaputo (484)
•
7 May 20
@17gracemalealea
It is clear that the boys have developed a very strong immune system due to the environment they have been exposed to. Which makes them believe they are not prone to this pandemic.
These boys have been surviving on their own all this why without aid am thinking it's been their way of life surviving like that.
What I am saying is when one reaches a point in life where they are convinced they can make it without help from other people it's hard to convince them otherwise.
Therefore, the WHO must first understand the authority structure for such communities.
Do they have Chiefs?
Do they have Leaders?
It is those Leaders who must be reached first with visible teachings like you have put it .
Let them watch what is happening in other affected places. Let them see the impact of the virus . When the information is coming from their leaders it will be easier for them to accept the it that way as opposed to a stranger telling them about something they have never heard of before
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
Lesotho is monarchy country therefore chiefs play significant roles at community levels. Yes herd boys would surely pay attention to local authorities.
It is true that they experience harsh natural hazards and brave so to speak. Cleaning their environment however might be a challenge..
Thank you for your insight.
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@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
@Helikaputo
Lesotho is affectionately called the 'Kingdom in the Sky ' because of its altitude and mainly mountainous features. Thank you !
@Helikaputo (484)
•
7 May 20
@17gracemalealea oh I didn't know it's actually a Monarch. Thanks
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