Covid-19: What Children Should know in a bid to increase prevention measures

By Desiré Muhire.

During this period the world is being hit by Coronavirus, children need to be told the truth about this outbreak in order to continue abiding with the guidelines for prevention.

However, many children still play outside their homes without wearing face masks and social distancing is not respected.

Some children who were educated about Covid-19 pandemic in Nyarugenge District said that lack of true information about this outbreak can trigger the increase of its consequences and violation of their rights.

“We got to know what Coronavirus is. We used to understand that it is as Malaria and we did not know how it is spread, we were advised to wear face masks, to wash hands and use hand sanitizers, keeping one-meter distancing. We were also cautioned to not rely on rumours, and only trust information given by the Ministry of Health on Televisions, radios and social media.” Said Uwase Diane, one of Children taught by Children Voice Today.

Isaka kwizera, another child said: “We lacked information since the Covid-19 pandemic started, all we use to hear are rumours but we have gained knowledge about the disease and how to prevent it.”

Ramadhan Mutiganda, 16, is also a member of a peer-education group by Children’s Voice Today (CVT), he said that he started to talk to local authorities about the issue of street children who are exposed to the disease and without having information and access to face masks or hand sanitizers.

“I want leaders to know that they have responsibilities to help children fight Covid-19. I also advise my fellow children to respect prevention guidelines by the Ministry of Health.” Mutiganda said.

“I take Coronavirus as a threat to Child Right Violence as many children are being engaged in hazardous work after the schools closed doors,” he added.

Innocent Ntakirutimana, Child protection and participation programme coordinator at CVT said that children must be told all the truth about Coronavirus.

Ntakirutimana was speaking on Saturday August 15, 2020 during an extra-ordinary session where children demonstrated their understanding about Coronavirus pandemic through debates and speaking illustrations.

“The reason for this session was to tell the truth to children about Coronavirus, they used to hear rumors. We told them to seek information relating to this pandemic on reliable media channels and we advise them to encourage their peers to respect the guidelines for combating the disease.” He said.

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