Local Communities Come Together With Run The Bases To Help Tackle The Covid-19 Crisis
Over the past five months, the global health pandemic of the coronavirus has affected the entire world, with many countries being locked down and almost every outdoor activity being limited or stopped. The Gambia saw its first case almost one month ago, and despite numbers for the infection still being relatively low when compared with other nations, it became immediately apparent that preventative measures should be taken in order to limit the spread as much as possible.
Following quick consultation with the Run the Bases in-country coaches, a course of action was established that will have an immediate effect in the individual communities. As the main ways of transmission of the virus are through breathing or coughing and by coming in contact with other human beings, it was decided that the main priorities would be face masks and hand washing stations to be made available to the communities. The masks were commissioned and completed in record-time by local tailors, while the hand washing stations will comprise of a water and soap tank placed next to each other, with clear instructions and WHO directives on how to best wash hands to avoid spreading of the virus.
On April 20th, this equipment was handed over to the five different communities of Berending, Gunjur, Kartong, Madina Salam and Siffoe. Each community received 30 masks each and 3 hand-washing buckets. Senior members of the RTB Gambia team Lamin Jatta and Adama Jarju were in attendance along with other in-country coaches to explain how to properly use the masks and hand-washing stations. At the same time, Mr. Jatta also delivered a speech highlighting the importance of social distancing and urging those in attendance to treat this pandemic with the utmost level of severity. There were several representatives from each community in attendance, including Alkalos (village elders) and members of the Village Development Committees.
Alkalo representative from Sifoe
We will be continuously monitoring the situation as it develops in the Gambia, and will only resume our activities once it has been deemed safe to do so by the WHO. Until that moment we will be working with the local communities to avoid any further spread of the disease and to encourage everyone to help however they can through such a difficult period in our lives. If you are in any way able to contribute to our cause, please feel free to get in touch.
Lamin and Philip meet with Madina representative
