Sierra Leoneans prevail through Covid isolation

Social distancing – a term that most of us were unfamiliar with pre-2020. These days, we can hardly have a conversation without mentioning it. Though it is essential to keep the virus from spreading, it is taking its mental toll.

Communities in Sierra Leone are feeling it too. Ransford Wright, Founder and Chief Executive of our partner the Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN)* gives us an update:

‘Currently, we are on restricted movement in and out of Freetown. The major feeling in the community is still around mental health and economic challenges. There is no government bailout here, so making a living is a serious challenge.’

Wright says there has been a reduction in the sense of community togetherness and trust.

Physical distancing not only prevents people from seeing loved ones; it also heightens feelings of isolation and separation. Due to increased restrictions, the regular SALT project community visits have been stopped. Community members have expressed how much they miss these visits.

The SALT team of volunteers continue to reach out to their actively engaged communities. While Covid has prevented some community initiatives, new stories are emerging about the resilience people are showing at this challenging time.

Community-centred initiatives

In one of the nine communities, the Mohtomeh neighbourhood, a women’s group has started a cooperative to help each other through the crisis. Pooling together shared resources; they are distributing food, healthcare, and supporting small businesses. They are also actively caring for the most vulnerable in their community.

BBN radio has amplified their story as it is an excellent example of a community-centred initiative. Mohtomeh was an area decimated by the 2017 mudslides, but people have banded together to improve their community. BBN radio hopes to encourage other communities to start building up their initiatives again.

Feeling heard in a crisis

BBN is looking to start a new radio drama series to help communities. The radio drama will focus on relevant social issues, such as unemployment, poor mental health, teenage pregnancy, and water shortages. These are the topics that come up in conversations when listeners phone into BBN’s phone counselling service. Continuing to talk to, listen to, and support the local community members is more critical than ever.

Storytelling and radio drama work really well in Sierra Leone as it evokes a lot of listener response. In a context where many feel unheard, community-centred media helps people feel heard:

Someone heard my concern. It mattered. And they talked about it on the radio.

To read more news about our partner-led project in Sierra Leone, click here.

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*BBN set up the SALT ministry in 2015 in response to the devastating Ebola outbreak which heavily weakened Sierra Leone’s already fragile health system. SALT is a strengths-based approach to improving health and promoting community healing, integrated with radio broadcasts.