COVID – 19: From child survival and development and thriving desk

​The work of Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) is about children, their families and communities. To reach these children, the Fund has partnered with local based organisations. These organizations have good men and women who are committed to visit families,  hold community meeting, facilitate trainings and workshops. All these is done in the name of improving the quality of life of children and young people of this country. We thank them for their work and commitment. 

This good work is currently challenged by – COVID – 19 viral epidemic. This is a virus that is   highly infectious and will probably spread rapidly throughout our country. 
Due to the National State of Disaster declared by Pres. Ramaphosa on Sunday, 15 March 2020 stemming from the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the Fund support Small Projects Foundation, one of the partners, on key steps that need to be taken to protect beneficiaries and staff from infection by COVID-19 virus. The message is for  to all partners in the space of children’s programmes

Steps to be taken:
Internal staff: 1.) Education of all staff on COVID-19 infection symptoms and ways to prevent infection. 2.) Provision of materials for essential hand washing by staff after every social contact, use of toilets and public spaces. 3.) Reduction of meetings, gatherings, public travel. 4.) In line with the early closure of schools-allow leave for staff to care for own children and families. 5.) Develop low risk service provision modes including call centre, pamphlets, voice calls, social media contact.
Beneficiaries: 1.) Limit meetings and contact to prevent infection of beneficiaries. 2.) Each staff member to ask beneficiary before starting whether any signs of fever, coughing, difficulty breathing in themselves or contacts recently. If yes, advise beneficiary to stay at home and call COVID 19 Helpline. 3.) Ensure each staff member maintains social distance (1,5 m) during home visits and preferably meet out of buildings.. 4.) Ensure staff members stay at home if exhibiting any symptoms of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle pain or unusual tiredness and call the toll-free helpline 0800029999 for advice and or testing. 5.) Stop any non-critical daily visits to immune-compromised or vulnerable households or work in larger groups until staff are fully capacitated and are taking necessary precautionary measures. 6.) Ensure that all beneficiaries and COVID 19 exposed are treated with kindness, dignity and confidentiality and offered support going forward.
Encourage and advises partners to offer staff official leave. This will ensure that measures are in place to prevent further infection, allow staff to support and educate their families
We therefore request your understanding and support for us to take these measures. 

The Fund also note that this will result in some targets and deliverables not being met. 
More points to consider:
Be safe:

1.Know COVID-19 infection symptoms

• Fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, unusual tiredness

2. Know how to prevent infection

• Wash hands frequently (soap or disinfectant)
• Maintain social distance (1,5 metres)
• Check if person has any of the above symptoms
  
  

3. If yes, suggest self-isolation and provide COVID-19 HotlineAvoid large groups of people (meetings/ socializing/ public transport)

4. If feeling ill, stay at home, call hotline and inform your supervisor immediately 

5. Ensure that your family is informed and supported

Be Smart:
6. Find creative ways to serve our communities through phone, whatsapp, call centre or one on one sessions.

7. Stop holding meetings with large groups of people (more than 20). Also, before each meeting. Check if any of the participants have COVID-19 symptoms or contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms – if yes, cancel meeting with that person and refer to Hotline and suggest self-isolation

​8. Share facts about COVID-19 and safety with beneficiaries including COVID -19 Hotline: 08000 29999 or Whatsapp: 0600123456

Be Kind:
9. Keep project staff healthy by making sure they know how to avoid infection and are supported if infected 

10. Protect confidentiality

11. Treat all with dignity and compassion
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12. Support all who may need advice, guidance or help

The most at risk include:

• People with weakened immune systems (e.g. HIV, TB, Diabetes, cancer)
• People with heart or lung diseases or hypertension
• Older adults (60 years +) and infants (0-3 years)

Incubation period:

• 1-14 days 
• Most people start showing symptoms about 5 days after infection

Don’t get stressed or panic:

• Most infections (85%) are mild and patients recover on their own.

 
Remember, you are uniquely skilled to bring hope, information, care and support to families, beneficiaries and communities in this time.