Trying to be organised and all, I started the year and blogging journey with a content plan. I wanted to be sure that I can be consistent. I had planned alot of the content around a trip home in the summer. I knew which places I had seen online I was dying to visit, write about and perhaps if my pocket allows,  get a souvenir or two. On paper I was ready for this chuck of content. 

Then CORONA happened. In all my years I would have never ever thought I would see the day when planes were literally grounded in airports around the world. Suddenly home which has always just been a flight away, was no longer that near. So plans had to be pushed aside.

As COVID-19  hit in these parts in spring, it’s somehow only hitting Malawi hard now. I am worried and stressed not just for friends and family but for the whole country. To say that our health system can barely serve the population of 17 million would not be an exaggeration. We barely have enough medicine in public hospitals. We definitely do not have enough testing kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our  frontline workers.

The majority of the urban population lives hand to mouth,i.e you go out to make food for that day. Most people simply cannot stay home so a lock down would simply not work. Schools have been closed since April but only a small percentage of people have access to internet, making online schooling a challenge. Then there were all these rallies in the run up to the fresh presidential elections in June. 😶

But among these worrying thoughts and stresses, hope floats from all the initiatives by Malawians in and out of the country. I love that we are looking within us for solutions.  We know our problems so who best to be in the forefront of solving them? Recent reserch has also called for local solutions to our situation.  Here are some I have come across on the internet. I know I don’t have everything so feel free to point me to those we should all be looking at.

Malawi Polytechnic

The Malawi Polytechnic Design studio has manufactured a Full Body Sanitization Chamber which disinfects individuals from head to toe with a sanitized steam for a period of 20 seconds

According to the Design Studio Manager Hilary Lodzanyama, it could be used in places like offices, airports, hospitals and any other areas where there is mobility.

Because a big part of the country does not have running water, the Design Studio is also manufacturing Pedal Operated hand washing machines. They are also producing face shields, masks and other protective gear and selling them in bulk.

Organizations and individuals in need of the various items can caĺl Polytechnic’s Hilary Lodzanyama on +265 888416190.

I hope both the government and the private sector is making full use of them. 

Masks for All Malawi

Knowing how effective using masks is, a local non governmental organisation came up with this initiative way before the numbers started rising. They have been commissioning local communities to make masks and they distribute them for free to everyone, especially those who can’t afford to buy one. Their goal is to distribute a mask to everyone in Malawi and have them use them correctly. 

You will find more information on them through their website where you will also find information on how to donate to this cause

It’s important to note that they are not the only ones producing cloth masks in Malawi, they are one among many. They are the group I know who are giving them out for free trying to reach everyone

Others

A group from University of Malawi’s Chancellor College alumni of  1993  have raised 2.4 million Kwacha to purchase 42 cylinders of medical oxygen from Afrox Malawi Limited in response to an SOS by the Director for Kamuzu Central Hospital Dr. Jonathan Ngoma.

According to Ngoma, one patient consumes about 75 litres of medical oxygen a day and the need is more critical now with the rise in COVID-19 cases. According to a post on Facebook, the group was inspired by the University’s class of 2001 that provided similar support earlier.

Ethanol Malawi is making hand sanitisers in different packages that can be repackaged. Hand sanitizer is one one the must haves especially if you don’t have soap and water with you. 

Malawians in diaspora are also showing up. Examples include Doreen Chisiza, a nurse in the USA who is helping  with the response there, has been putting out useful information on what to do when your sick, how to treat the dead bodies etc. These are in video format on her Facebook page Health Space by Doreen Chisiza

Knowing the resource limitations in our hospitals, different groups are making PPE donations from within and the diaspora like the Malawian service men in the UK. The handover ceremony happened on 22 July. Together they ran 7000 miles and raised 7000 Pounds

There are stories of teachers trying to reach their kids in unconventional  ways, like posting work on big papers in different parts of the community. I just read of a lady who has gotten the Form 3 and 4 kids in her neighbourhood together to revise and learn together during this time. My only hope is the Ministry of Education could hear tap into these stories and help implement them across the country until schools open. 

These are just some of the initiatives I have come across. Am sure there are many more. So those of you who know others please let me know so I can add them. 

We hope to be highlighting more on the Instagram page as well just to contribute to the positive stories around COVID-19.