By Adama Traore, Teacher & Health Projects Coordinator
Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School has been changed by the Covid-19 pandemic just like all schools in Mali. Parents and students have been very worried about their village’s future in terms of education and health. School have been closed for months and students were concerned and depressed. When the government decided to reopen schools, the whole village was thrilled to see their kids back in school even though the pandemic was not still over. We are working to help students feel and be safe by setting up a health club so students are more aware of the virus and how to protect themselves and their families.
Alassane Komacara and Daouda Doubia are in the 7th and 8th grades. They are 14 and 13 years old. They like school and are proud to be in our Health Club at Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School of Nieguekoro. Alassane and Daouda are both committed to saving themselves and their classmates, so they volunteered to be in our health club.
For their first project, they decided to devote part of their time teaching their classmates how to greet without shaking hands or touching. They created a new way of greeting in school and want the students to use that as from now on. Alassane and Daouda enjoy fist greeting with their dudes in school. They say require everyone in their school to do this so they and their families will be safe from covid-19. In addition, they are supporting all their teachers and their principal who have been encouraging the students to wash hands with soap.
Alassane (in orange shirt) wants to be surgeon in the future. This is why he likes math and chemistry. He would like to help his community with a health clinic after his dream comes true. He is on cloud nine about his village not being affected by the covid-19 at this time. Alassane’s dad is farmer and his mother take care of home. Alassane says he would like to build fancy houses for them and make his parents happy.
Health Club students at each school are creating a new, non-touching greeting to replace the handshake or hug.
Alassane and Daouda think avoiding touching during greeting alone cannot save them from COVID-19, but respecting social distancing and other safety measures like wearing masks. They want all their whole village saved from the illness and they are grateful their Health Club at Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School.
