Survey Responses from CorpsAfrica Volunteers
Regarding ​Coronavirus Awareness Community Meetings

Part of the role of the CorpsAfrica Volunteers (not just during a crisis) is to be the voice of their community to outside stakeholders. We've been asking to them to submit short surveys to capture what they're hearing, what they think of it, and what they want people to know. Here are their answers in full (edited only from translation and to shield their locations).
​

How has this meeting impacted your community? (compiled March 16, 2020)

• My community is now informed and knows how to protect itself.  The meeting has triggered the community members to talk about the virus. 
• This meeting has helped my community to be well informed about this coronavirus outbreak, its ways of transmission, its symptoms and how to prevent an outbreak in the community.
• Very few people were aware of COVID-19 before we discussed it.  Members of the community have started practicing preventive measures. 
• People have started washing their hands multiple times a day and spread the information with those who were not present at the meeting. 
• The meeting had a positive impact. People have started sharing information and using safe practices
• People have adopted the culture of washing hands and stopped greeting with handshakes. Now, they also know the symptoms of the COVID-19 and will make sure that people who present the symptoms are sent to the hospital.
• This meeting was very helpful because everyone understood the instructions on how to prevent from getting the virus.
• This meeting was helpful by informing community members about what exactly what coronavirus is and getting full information and about it especially how to prevent it
• This meeting has helped the community to be aware of the coronavirus and measures that can be taken to protect themselves
• The meeting helped the community prevent the COVID19 pandemic. Community members stopped greeting each other with handshakes or hugs. 
• The meeting has positively impacted community members, as all attendees were showing a good understanding of the disease risks as shown by the questions they asked, how they correctly responded to the questions I asked them after discussing the disease facts, and their recommendations as local community on the disease.
• This meeting will impact my community positively because now they know the causes, symptoms and how to prevent that pandemic disease
• The meeting has risen awareness of community members about COVID-19 especially the preventive measures in their daily lives 
• This meeting had a great impact on my community, because now everyone knows how to protect themselves against the COVID-19. They have also changed their minds about shaking hands as a way of greeting in order to fight against COVID-19.
• My community got to know how about the situation in the country and in the world and their role in stopping the spread of COVID19
• Most members of the community didn’t know about the disease before we had the first case in Senegal. Right after the Friday prayer I was lucky to have a few minutes to sensitize the population on the disease, its causes, its transmission channels, and its preventive measures. A few days later, I observed that the village inhabitants were much more vigilant on certain aspects (limit greetings, avoid certain contacts and so on)
• The community is now talking about the pandemic more and more compared to before. And prevention measures are now known and are remembered and applied. Even children talk about it. If they see behaviors that is contrary to the measures and practices to be adopted, they will point it out.
• The meeting had an impact on the community as proven by the many questions about the disease as well as people getting involved in fighting the disease and sharing their insights about some actions which they think the state should take to stop the spread. They can identify the symptoms and took note of emergency numbers to contact if someone falls sick.
• This awareness meeting that I had with the children had an impact on the community because the children are a real vector of information if done right. Even during the sensitization session, we felt that children were interested about the subject. They even took some notes. We hope that the children will pass on the information to their families and pairs.
• The community is becoming increasingly vigilant and above all cautious. They understand and respect the preventive measures and do not hesitate to come to me and ask questions.
• This meeting had an impact on my community because awareness needed to be raised. Some community members had other misconceptions about the disease and the meeting helped to clear up many of the gray areas
• I think the meeting had an impact based on community members’ feedbacks. They were satisfied and promised to educate their families and friends.
• Poverty and difficulties in accessing water mean that my community cannot really follow all of these measures. In addition, the fact of being landlocked and belonging almost all from the same family means that they do not really feel the danger. 

---

What did your community members say about the meeting? What feedback did you receive? (Compiled March 16, 2020)
​

• They said it was helpful
• They were happy about the information gained through this meeting about the coronavirus and they started following all instructions given as soon as they get updates on what is going on around the world. Now, they are really aware of what is happening.
• At first, people didn’t know anything about the pandemic but now they are aware of it. They also mentioned they were grateful to have someone who is thinking about them and to make sure they were not left behind. They said “thanks to our CorpsAfrica Volunteer we receive updates and are ready to fight the coronavirus as well as poverty. 
• They appreciated the information I provided them with as most of them were not aware of the disease because they do not have radios or TVs.
• Some community members said that before the meeting they had some negative beliefs about COVID-19 but the meeting raised their awareness and removed some misunderstandings. I was pleased to see that my community decided to change their culture of hugging, shaking hands and adopted new greeting styles for their safety. 
• My community is thankful of us Corps Africa Volunteers as we are the first to raise awareness in the community 
• Many used to think that the coronavirus was the same thing as Ebola. But now they know what the coronavirus is exactly and understand that it’s a dangerous virus which can spread quickly in short time. They know they have to protect themselves and others.
• The community members were happy, and they thanked CorpsAfrica for sharing information about the coronavirus because they were able to leave behind their misconceptions about the virus.
• The community is happy that we have organized a prevention awareness meeting, which shows that CorpsAfrica cares about the well-being of its communities. Also, the community said that it’s a great opportunity to be aware about a matter of global concern and to be informed on everything.
• All community members appreciated CorpsAfrica for organizing the meeting as it increased their awareness about the disease, they all emphasized on how they are going to combat the disease by keeping personal hygiene, contacting the nearest health post whenever they fill uncomfortable.   
• They said how this meeting was so meaningful to them because it helped them to know more about COVID-19. They also took this chance to mention how CorpsAfrica Rwanda also helped them in other aspects of their lives. The last thing they said was that they felt that having a volunteer on the site showed that we care about them.
• They have been thanking us for informing them all about COVID-19 early because they now understand what to do in case there is someone showing symptoms in the community though it is a bit difficult to stop shaking hands and minimizing large gatherings.
• The community was shocked and saddened by the severity of COVID-19, but they decided to fight it by following the advice we, as well as the various health agencies, had given to them.
• They said that the meeting was helpful to them because many of them do not even have radios, they only get information from other people including us Volunteers.
• All community members were very happy to receive updated information through the meeting and thanked CorpsAfrica for organizing the meeting. The community members are going to combat the disease by keeping personal hygiene and directly contacting the nearest health center if they ever show the symptoms of the disease. 
• Thank you for the information, we didn’t realize how serious the situation is. They were curious to know how to protect themselves against the disease. 
• They appreciated the information and realized that even without the disease, good hygiene practices were important. 
• Before the meeting, the members of my community didn’t know about the disease but after the meeting they decided to focus on informing the women who are the ones taking care of households. They prayed and also talked about what the government should do avoid the spread of the virus. They also asked for medical resources.
• The day following the meeting, parents came to me to thank me for talking with their children and to ask more information. 
• Parents said they will take all necessary measures to protect their children against the disease

---

---

What did you learn about your community? (Compiled March 16, 2020)

• My community is eager to learn 
• I learned that my community is not well informed about this outbreak. I also found out that most of our community members really took us Volunteers as a source of information. This made me realized why it’s important that I stay updated so that l can keep them informed as well.
• What I learned from my community is that they don't listen to news. They are busy looking for food and money for their families. I've also learned that they are good listeners and they care about their lives even if there are other problems that take their time. They are courageous because after learning about the coronavirus they started implementing measures to fight it, most of them even bought a soap that day. 
• They are on an isolated mountain in the swamp without electricity and this prevents them from getting information on time. I need to find a way to motivate them to search information on time.
• I learned that they need someone like me to go and support them because they do not get information on time.
• I learned that my community is sensitive, flexible and that they have embraced the CorpsAfrica approach.
• In my community, they have a culture of teamwork. Everyone has their neighbor’s back and they continue discussing the COVID-19, encouraging each other to help prevent it
• They are more understanding
• How they are ready to protect their life as the first step of development 
• My community is showing motivation to follow all measures taken by the Ministry of Health to protect the spread of the coronavirus
• I found out that the community has been misinformed about the COVID19 epidemic. For example, that blacks cannot be infected with the virus, in traditional medicine they treat COVID19 and other wrong information.
• I learned how committed they are to combat the disease by trying to keep personal hygiene through using local available tools for washing their hands. 
• My community has been trying to get information from the radio.
• They show a great concern about their lives and for their loved ones, they are fast learners because they have responded in good ways especially on the preventive measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19
• This meeting taught me that the community values its members’ lives and that even a short meeting but with relevant and updated information can save the lives of many people.
• I have learned that information can save people's lives
• I learnt that my community is committed to fight the disease by keeping cleanliness personally.
• Many people thought it was just like the flu but after the meeting they finally understood that it’s a serious disease and started taking precautions. I also realized that my community is very isolated and does not know what’s happening in the world outside of their village. 
• They are aware that hygiene is very important 
• I realized that my community does not have access to adequate health resources. There is a community health worker in the village, but he does not seem to be much concerned about the community members’ health. 
• As it can be difficult to get people together, communicating with children through activities can be an effective strategy to spread information
• They value simplicity, honesty, and respect.
• I learned that my community is very open-minded and is ready to move forward in the fight against the disease. However, I realized that despite the sensitization, it is hard for people to let go of their beliefs which can sometimes mislead them 
• That my community cares about health 
• They are more reactive than proactive, they need more sensitization.

---

---

What do you want public health officials to know about your community?​ (Compiled March 12, 2020)

• The majority of people have heard about the disease but they lack knowledge on how it spreads and its preventive measures
• Health officials should know that people are living in fear and they need to hear from local authorities on how to deal with the virus, and what to do if their relatives or friends get it.
• The community is at risk because a lot of people from here go to South Africa for business.
• The whole traditional authority has two health centers. One which serves people from 63 villages and another one which serves people from 80 villages including from villages nearby. In both health centers there is limited space for the patients and guardians. The community needs support to extend the place. They have already accumulated some resources such as bricks, sand and a sum of money on their own. The community has a majority of young people. The area is already facing several malaria cases.  
• The nearest health facility is at a distance and does not have adequate medical personnel and facilities. 
• My community needs a lot of sensitization on the virus. It seems that a lot of people do not understand much about the virus
• My community is a high-risk community due to the following reasons: culturally, people greet each other with handshakes; people have limited if any knowledge and information about most common diseases and health issues; inadequate health personnel - there is one currently serving a radius of approximately over 13km and hilly in nature; high rates of migration to and from South Africa which are mostly illegal. This prompted one participant to say that he won't tolerate his relative from South Africa when he comes after learning of a case in South Africa. My community also rears a lot of cattle and goats and people are heavy meat eaters.
• The community is living in fear they are not prepared in any sense.They fear that when coronavirus hits they will all die.
• Public health officials have to know that our community is safe, ready to cope with the disease and that there is no case of disease in my community. 
• I want public officials to start frequent sensitizations about the Coronavirus prevention because some community members are not yet taking this issue seriously.
• My community is located in a remote area, so teaching them how to prevent the virus from spreading requires much effort because not many of them have received formal education.
• My community requested to receive updates on how far the Coronavirus is spreading in order to get ready to protect their villages.
• So far, no one has been tested for the Coronavirus in my community. Now, everyone is aware of it, because we had a meeting on how to prevent it.
• People have not yet been able to accept this issue and the existing forms of prevention are detrimental to the traditional culture of greeting each other.
• In our community, we really need different prevention methods, because by now we are only used to washing our hands in places like health centers, schools, markets and other places where many people used to meet mostly. Resources are not enough.
• Public officials should know that health facilities are far away.
• Public health officials should know that my community is now aware of the disease and they should help my community if anyone shows signs of the disease.
• My community is not ready to protect itself against this viral disease and people need to be taught preventive measures
• My community are still waiting for the help of public health officials because the materials for washing hands are not sufficient and people need more information about the Coronavirus.
• My community does not have the means to fight this virus.
• My community has been taught about COVID-19 but we need collaboration with public health officials in this fight against it.
• I would like to inform the public health officials that after our meeting, the community is now aware of the dangers of the Coronavirus and that they are ready to do all that’s necessary to prevent this disease.
• They don't have enough public materials to wash their hands with soap 
• It is a very organized and committed community that expects supports such as soaps, liquids, cleaning materials and others to better prevent cases
• The authorities must know that the community is not prepared to manage this type of situation, they do not have the logistical and financial means to deal with this type of disease, however raising awareness would be a solution at the level of mosques, schools, daaras and in public places to be ready in case of infection.
• Our community is anxious
• The hospital is not far from my community but access remains difficult. The villagers have no means of transportation, they have to hire a driver in town and pay a lot. Also, there are no shops to stock up on detergents, masks and the like. Being in a crossroads city, they are very mobile and frequent the markets a lot. However, if the disease arrives in the southern zone, it will be very difficult to protect them.
• My community is aware of the disease and will not hesitate to report it if there is a case.
• I want to let them know that my community is currently concerned about this disease and is also starting to take preventive measures such as washing hands with soap and water.
• The distance between the village and the mayor health center, the difficulties of joining good health centers to be treated, the road makes it hard to transfer a patient.
• My community, being landlocked, is far from the health post. The necessary safety devices are not there and they lack certain drugs. It is a population that does not have the means to cope with certain epidemics.
• People are very worried about the virus
• My community still believes in ancestral practices of protection against certain diseases
• I am in a community where there is too much wind and a lot of dust but despite the sensitizations made at school about washing your hands as soon as you return home or before eating, the people do not not do so because they are not used to it. I continue the sensitization in the schools and maybe with the parents later so that they can set an example for the children.
• It is a community where respiratory infections are frequent because it is located on an island and they don’t prioritize hygiene 
• The community is very negligent with regard to aspects related to cleanliness
• Despite their commitment to prevent the Coronavirus, they have not enough means to deal with it. Poverty and lack of health centers make their efforts less efficient
• Information-Education and Communication with the head nurse
• My community has difficult access to information.They will need much more information and awareness about the disease