A Radio Spot Inspires Motorcycle Taxi Operator to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
As COVID-19 cases were rising in Malawi, one motor cycle tax operator Samuel Kachingwe from the populous Ndirande Township in Blantyre, was in a dilemma; he had to choose between feeding and protecting his family from the pandemic.
“What are we really supposed to do to survive? Business is down our families are starving at the same time we are at risk of contracting COVID-19. I am a motor bike taxi man who is worried and at a fix between protecting and feeding my family,” wrote Kachingwe through a text message.
Kachingwe who is doubles as a security guard at night and a motor cycle taxi operator by day has lived the hardest times when the pandemic hit Malawi hard. However, he made one very important decision which was to protect his family. This decision was inspired by Osayidelera COVID-19 radio spot he heard from Zodiak Broadcast Station (ZBS).
With support from the USAID, ADECOTS in conjunction with Breakthrough Action has been implementing the Osayidelera COVID-19 campaign which has been producing and coordinating the distribution and broadcasting of the COVID-19 related radio programs among the five (5) national and 20 community radio stations. The radio programs, which included radio spots, were aimed at increasing risk perception and adoption of preventive behaviors against the pandemic.
“That day I was home in the evening listening to the radio when an advert came up of a minibus passengers revolting to get off because there were no social distancing in the seating plan. It was quite thrilling and interesting until it hit home when I realized am in the same trade and I found myself at a high risk as well,” explained Kachingwe.
“You see every day I transport different people who could have COVID-19, and by this time I wasn’t protecting myself. Chances are every time I am carrying a passenger with no mask and no social distancing, I could be infected.” This was Kachingwe’s turning point where he decided he was going to have a mask every time he was going to carry passengers but more importantly making sure that every passenger, he was ferrying is putting on a mask.
“That decision to carry a masked passenger only cost me a lot, some customers would actually avoid me, and they did not want to ride my motor bike. On my worst days, I would run with no client all day and that meant my family suffers in those days”. Samuel explains the consequences of his decision to protect his family from COVID-19.
Protecting his family was biggest priority. “Everyone else in my family staying home and I was the only one moving around doing my business. So, if the disease had to come into my house, I would be the one to bring it. So, I did everything in my powers to make sure that my family is fully protected even of it meant suspending my business and losing out on money,” concluded Kachingwe.
According to ADECOTS’ programs manager Damiano Chisikwa, Osayidelera COVID-19 campaign was aimed at providing the general public with correct information on COVID-19 as well as dispelling myths and misconceptions about the disease.