SOUTH: Youth Volunteers in campaign on COVID-19 prevention

Kigali: Members of Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Huye and Kamonyi districts conducted varied activities aimed at strengthening their efforts in education the public of safety measures against COVID-19 pandemic.

In Huye District, 38 youth volunteers from Huye Sector, who represented other members of the youth group to comply with the safety guidelines and to prevent mass gathering; they held a meeting with the Police and local authorities to streamline their outreach and supervision activities on the implementation of the government directives to prevent the spread of the virus.

The meeting was also attended by Inspector of Police (IP) Leonille Mujawamariya, the District Political and Civic Education Officer (DPCEO) for Huye District and Prosper Rwamucyo, the executive secretary for Huye Sector.

The meeting discussed, among others, effective partnership between the youth volunteers, Police and local leaders through community policing; bringing on board new young people into the nationalist organization; the role of youth volunteers in educating and influencing the public on safer practices to prevent the spread of  COVID-19; and discipline.

Police and local leaders, during the meeting, recognized the impact of youth volunteers in community policing aspects and particularly educating the public on recommended precautionary measures against COVID-19 such as wearing facemask, washing or sanitizing hands, social distancing and avoiding shaking hands as one of the means through which the virus is spread.

Elsewhere, in Gacurabwenge Sector of Kamonyi District, youth volunteers joined security organs in COVID-19 prevention awareness.

The awareness, which has been going on in different parts of the country, was taken to Gashyushya market where dwellers were sensitized on washing hands regularly wherever they are, to always leave at least one metre distance between two people and to avoid any contact with another person including doing away with the habit of shaking hands and hugging.

Others including wearing the facemask at all times when in public and properly covering the nose and mouth; going home after buying or selling goods to prevent congestion as avoiding loitering and unnecessary movements.

Among those sensitized include over 100 people, who were found in Gashyushya market either without a facemask or wearing it inappropriately. There are over 300,000 members of youth volunteers across the country.

Their activities range from raising awareness against crimes such as narcotic drugs, human trafficking, corruption and gender based violence; building and renovating houses for the vulnerable people, constructing roads, sensitizing community on proper feeding in an effort to fight malnutrition in children, tree planting exercise, among many others. (End).