A World Vision Trained Pastor Helps diffuse COVID-19 myths
Born in Mount Moorosi in the district of Quthing, South of Lesotho, Pastor Bonga Mzini finds joy in getting to the hard-to-reach areas of Lesotho to ensure communities have a proper understanding of COVID-19 and vaccines.
“After being trained by World Vision Lesotho on different models Including Channels of Hope for COVID-19, I immediately identified gaps. I realized that communities especially those living in the remote and hard to reach areas, are reluctant to vaccinate. They seem confused by unfounded myths around it,
“On the other hand, parents are dying, leaving children orphaned, I immediately took it upon myself to ensure they have the right knowledge by devising ways to work with the health professionals to reach out.” Mzini revealed”
One of the myths surfacing in the communities, especially amongst the faith community, is that COVID-19 represents a way of Satan pronouncing his presence in the world, and that taking vaccines are means by which the devil marks his own.
“I then volunteered to help the communities get the correct information through the British High Commission funded COVID-19 masks and vaccines project, intended to encourage communities to consider getting vaccinated, use masks and hand sanitizers.” he continued.
Mzini added that World Vision Lesotho also provided a platform through Community Dialogues, working together with the Ministry of Health and other health practitioners present information on the dangers posed by COVID-19, and how vaccines help communities become resilient against the pandemic.
“The initiative has helped empower communities with knowledge. We saw community members who had pronounced their stance not to vaccinate, approach the desks set by the project staff and partners to administer vaccinations, for a shot.
“I always felt that once I vaccinated my life would either end or the vaccination would leave me crippled. Even though I just vaccinated, I feel normal, the things I feared feeling are not here.” said one of the men who has always treaded taking COVID-19 vaccines during the CODI-19 project outreach in the district Mokhotlong.
In the year 2018, the volunteering Pastor Mzini won a Commonwealth Point of Light award for his dedication to serve the most vulnerable children.
Mzini had received other trainings from World Vision Lesotho which include, Channels of Hope for Child Protection, Channels of Hope for Gender and Empowered World view.
In Lesotho's population of about two million people, so far 618, 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered and 572, 287 people have been fully vaccinated. Mobilizing people to vaccinate is in line with sustainable Development Goal 3 which emphasizes good health and wellbeing.