From Bakah Derick in Alatening... First published by The Guardian Post Daily on Wednesday 13, 2020
The Alatening Cultural and Development Association ACDA has challenge Alatening sons and daughters at home to bar the way for the coronavirus pandemic from entering the village.In a COVID-19 sensitisation and support initiative gathering on Sunday May 10, 2020 at the Alatening multipurpose community hall, the national President of ACDA Elvis Sama speaking in the mother tongue for better understanding told those present that the come together was necessitated by the new disease that is killing many around the world. It is the terrible effects of the disease he said that has inspired Alatening sons and daughters in the United States of America as principal donors with suport from other parts of the world and Cameroon to donate money for the provision of preventive kits in the village.
Attendees of the Alatening Cultural and Development Association COVID-19 prevention items
Foot pedal adapted hand wash stations, face masks, hand sanitisers and soap constitute the distributed package. According to Atanga Ita Lum a community health worker in Alatening, the donations and the sensitisation will greatly change the mindset of the villagers. As a community health worker, she says prior attempts to sensitise the community on basic hygiene to prevent COVID-19 met resistance as some villagers described the pandemic as a false creation. "With this message coming from their sons and daughters and through ACDA that they trust, I am sure the attitude will greatly change." She said.
Foot pedal adapted hand wash stations, face masks, hand sanitisers and soap constitute the distributed package. According to Atanga Ita Lum a community health worker in Alatening, the donations and the sensitisation will greatly change the mindset of the villagers. As a community health worker, she says prior attempts to sensitise the community on basic hygiene to prevent COVID-19 met resistance as some villagers described the pandemic as a false creation. "With this message coming from their sons and daughters and through ACDA that they trust, I am sure the attitude will greatly change." She said.
Elvis Sama Alatening Cultural and Development Association ACDA handing donations
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, it is the first time a sensitisation campaign is taking place in Alatening. Ngwecho Margaret ACDA home branch Vice President confirms this indicating that though a rural community, claims by public health and council authorities that they cannot come to Alatening because of insecurity is false. She extended words of gratitude to the donors just like Elder Ndikum Peter congregational Secretary for PC Alatening who received the hand wash station for his church and promised to put them into proper use. "It will be placed infront of the Church for people to wash their hands before service." The Elder said
"Being the first to have done this sensitisation in the village is just the right thing to do." Elvis Sama said adding that it will be great to see more sensitisation to keep Alatening people safe.
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| Families taking food items home |
Over 80% of those who turnout for the event were women. This according to Fru Gladys Bih ACDA national women's leader was satisfactory and a testimony of their frontline role in community and family matters. "I am satisfied with the turnout though not 100% but as you know those of them who came will spread the message. They have always been instrumental in community activities and I am confident that the message will go through" she said
ACDA national President demonstrating use of hand wash stations
In a motorised caravan around the community, the ACDA home team shared prevention methods and symptoms of COVID-19 with a public address system in the mother tongue, pidgin and English which to the organisers was intended to maintain the physical distancing mode of prevention and ensure effective penetration of the message.
In a motorised caravan around the community, the ACDA home team shared prevention methods and symptoms of COVID-19 with a public address system in the mother tongue, pidgin and English which to the organisers was intended to maintain the physical distancing mode of prevention and ensure effective penetration of the message.
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| Caravan in a tour of the community |
Added to the COVID-19 prevention package were food items made up of cooking palm oil, sugar and cubes for food seasoning which ACDA national President noted is also neccessary to keep the people healthy while preventing the coronavirus pandemic. The items have been distributed to family heads and groups with emphasis on the fact that everyone should at least get a little.
Created 46years ago as Alatening Welfare Association AWA, ACDA is credited for constructing a giant multipurpose hall, the construction of some classrooms and donation of benches to GSS Alatening. While renovating the Palace, the association has also engaged a water project and a health post in the community.
