#ISurvivedEbola Campaign

In May I shared the inspiring news of the important work that survivors associations in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are undertaking to pioneer reintegration of Ebola survivors, promote long-term adoption of disease prevention practices and challenge harmful stereotypes.

With the aid of capacity building seed grants from PCI Media Impact, these associations have made significant advances in meeting urgent needs in their communities. The Ebola Survivors Association of Liberia/West Africa Ebola Survivor and affected Organization (ESAL/WAESO) exemplifies their dedication and progress. The first step for ESAL/WAESO was to help its members—men and women who survived illness and loss—use the courage and determination they have demonstrated in facing stigma to gain new skills to help their communities. 60 members were trained in leadership and program development, management and monitoring. Volunteers also received guidance in psychosocial counseling to prepare them to directly support survivors struggling to adjust to rebuild their social and economic existences.

These survivors association members are already putting their new confidence and abilities to work in the Monrovia region. Members have performed outreach to over 2,000 community members to share their stories and lessons learned around Ebola prevention and the pain of survivor stigma. They distributed over 1,000 buckets to households in coordination with demonstrations of the importance of proper handwashing techniques. In the course of their outreach and engagement efforts, however, they observed a high need for continued focus on prevention vigilance now that the urgent threat of Ebola has been minimized, as well as continued demand for medical and financial support and counseling for Ebola survivors throughout Monrovia.

We are deeply impressed with the journey these resilient survivors are on to become champions for their communities. We thank you for all of your support and encouragement along the way.

Links:

• Learn more about PCI Media Impact here

Our pioneering work with Ebola survivors in the #ISurvivedEbola campaign, has achieved a level of success far beyond our expectations. With Ebola survivors taking the lead, we are beginning to move to a strategy of long-term prevention.

Exciting News to Share

Since our last update three months ago, our #ISurvivedEbola Campaign has been honored with 5 more prestigious honors for a total of 15.

These include:

• IndieFEST Film Outstanding Achievement Humanitarian Award
• Silver Medal, New York Festival’s World’s Best TV & Films Awards
• Rockie Award, Banff World Media Festival, for Digital Nonfiction. Decision pending.
• HUMANITAS Impact Video Award
• Official Honoree of the Webby Awards

Helping Survivors Become Community Leaders

PCI Media Impact’s #ISurvivedEbola Campaign has championed the capacity of survivors of the epidemic to help heal the dramatic losses suffered in their communities. In sharing their stories of trauma, recovery and hard-won first-hand knowledge of safety practices and stigma, the Ebola survivors featured in PCI Media Impact’s #ISurvivedEbola campaign have elevated the awareness and sensitivity of Ebola-affected communities, despite a climate of mistrust and confusion.

Yet while the Ebola outbreak is now contained, it could re-emerge if people stop following new health and safety protocols.   And there are many orphans and fractured families grappling with what they have lost and how to rebuild their lives and rejoin community life, socially and economically.   

Survivors Associations in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are now mobilizing to help meet these challenges in their communities.  We are providing these inspiring men and women with the training and resources they need to lead activities with the following objectives:

• Act as spokespersons for public health prevention and be positioned for rapid response should new outbreaks occur
• Promote reintegration support for hundreds of Ebola survivors
• Shifting the public outlook from fear and despair toward resilience and hope

These emerging community leaders are spearheading the following projects in their respective regions: therapeutic counseling, job training for young female orphans, entrepreneurial agriculture projects, and public sporting events that engage local residents in rebuilding community ties.   

These community leaders and role models are pioneering reintegration and reframing attitudes about disease prevention and survival. We look forward to updating you in the coming months on their program achievements and goals for the future and thank you for your support and continued encouragement as we continue these heroic efforts.

Links:

• http://www.mediaimpact.org