A large part of Ambrela's member and observer organizations carry out their work in so-called low-income countries of the Global South – that is their field of activity, where their expertise, experience, and assistance are directed. Currently, however, they are also turning their attention to vulnerable groups of the population in Slovakia. Examples of their activities bring hope and encouragement that we will overcome the coronavirus epidemic together.
The Platform of Development Organizations – Ambrela has been active in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian aid for 30 years. Its member organizations have long been operating in so-called developing countries, where they represent the SlovakAid brand and the good name of the Slovak Republic. To date, Slovak organizations have helped millions of people around the world. These days, however, they are mobilizing their capacities and resources to provide their expertise, assistance, and support in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as well as to manage self-isolation, home education of children, or working from home in their dwellings. Here are examples of their activities.
I. SUPPORT FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE QUARANTINE OF THE POPULATION
ADRA SLOVENSKO
provides logistical support for the Clinic of Infectology of the University Hospital Bratislava at Kramáre in securing an external workplace for examining patients suspected of COVID-19. ADRA secured a container – an examination room for first contact, registration and selection of potential patients, an external waiting room, mobile toilets, containers for toxic waste, and other necessary technical facilities. At the same time, it needs volunteers for the smooth operation of the field action. You can apply at: office@adra.sk.
Another of our member organizations,
MAGNA
, during its existence has already helped with many epidemics of various diseases in countries affected by humanitarian crisis. Now, however, it has provided nearly 1,200 special protective masks at home – to the staff of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Medicine of the National Institute of Children's Diseases in Bratislava. It allocated protective equipment for preventing coronavirus infection from its projects abroad, and will also provide the National Institute with a specialized medical tent usable in urgent situations for triaging patients before entering the hospital. More info here.
Vysoká škola zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce sv. Alžbety is looking among its students and graduates for psychologists, social workers, public health professionals, and laboratory technicians to assist the Office of the Chief Hygienist in operating telephone lines providing guidance to people with symptoms suspicious of COVID-19. It will also provide people specialized in laboratory testing methods for COVID-19 diagnosis in mobile and other laboratories. Volunteers can register at www.seu.sk. The university's rector, Prof. Vladimír Krčméry, also seeks in interviews to explain the topic and present forms of prevention in an effort to prevent panic, the spread of fear, and falsehoods.
SLOVENSKÁ KATOLÍCKA CHARITA (SKCH)
is distributing food packages to people in need, lending medical aids, and managing facilities for the elderly and socially disadvantaged. At the same time, it has moved some clients of day centers in worse health condition to residential facilities. More info here.
II. FIELDWORK WITH EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES
In every corner of Slovakia we are already feeling the spread of the coronavirus. Until now, we have heard about the most at-risk groups of the population – seniors and people with immune disorders. Less is being said about the threat to families living on the margins of society. Our member organization Človek v ohrození is working intensively with dozens of others (experts, partners, and volunteers) to help people in excluded communities protect themselves as best as possible against the coronavirus and not spread it further. Človek v ohrození is therefore coordinating a working group for marginalized Roma communities (approximately 266 members) and conducting a needs assessment in these communities in cooperation with the organization Zdravé komunity. It is seeking to procure protective equipment, launch telephone lines for clients, as well as online psychological support and mentoring for people in the field. More info here.
Slovenský Červený kríž has launched a website on the topic, as well as a call for volunteers. More info here. It also shares instructions on how to properly sew protective face masks at home.
III. MENTAL HYGIENE, FAMILY EDUCATION
Volunteers from parish charities together with the team of Slovenská katolícka charita (SKCH) have hand-made hundreds of face masks for colleagues in the field and in offices, as well as for seniors and other clients using Charita's services. At the same time, these volunteers in many places in Slovakia are organizing the delivery of food and medicine to seniors. Through online media they are making available exercises for the elderly or educational courses for people in quarantine.
eRKo – Movement of Christian Children's Communities has prepared online meetings for its followers, a leaflet on the topic of Digital Audit, as well as an activity: Reading with Tea. It also offers creative ideas and meaningful online tips MINIdigi for families with children for every day. More info here.
The team of UNICEF Slovensko has translated and is sharing a series of information materials from the international UNICEF network. Here you can learn: what you should know about the coronavirus as parents. Here you can get valuable advice on how to talk about the virus and the disease with children. Here follow the measures against the coronavirus to be observed in schools. UNICEF also wants to share recommendations for activities for children. For your attention, it currently offers guides: for preschool children here, for primary school pupils here, and for secondary school students here.
IV. AWARENESS, ONLINE EDUCATION AND LEARNING AT HOME
Since schools have been closed as part of preventive measures, parents and children are in isolation, teaching staff have interrupted instruction, education must continue at home and differently. Therefore, the Global Education department of our member organization ČvO: Človek v ohrození Človek v ohrození has decided to communicate its educational materials more actively. You can draw inspiration from them, learn something new, and use them in distance learning or upon returning to school. ČvO has a large number of educational materials that fit into state educational programs (in subjects such as Mathematics, Geography, Ethics, History, etc.). More here.
If you are currently responsible for education during preventive measures, documentary films from the Jeden svet festival offering and methodological-information materials will help you prepare simple activities before and after screening the film. Do not forget: reflection after the film is an essential part of the educational process. You can currently watch these documentary films with your family: Thank You for the Rain; Home Game; #Follow Me; The Activist; The Hate Fighter; What a Lie Can Do. More about the films and download options here.
Are you thinking about how to sensibly entertain your children (and yourself too) at home during isolation? For older children, our member organization CEEV Živica offers an excellent e-learning on topics from the Sokratov inštitút, where they will learn more about global contexts, alternatives in agriculture, or media ethics. You can launch it here.
Nadácia Pontis offers a selection of several educational services that allow children to learn easily and simply at home. It also offers training for teachers and educators to effectively teach online from home. More info here.
Another member organization of Ambrela:
PDCS
has prepared a lunch seminar for the public on the topic "How to Hold Meetings and Make Decisions Online." After inputs by Dušan Ondrušek, Kaja Miková, and Peter Guštafík, there will be an open discussion mainly on topics: What is the recommended structure for online meetings; What individual tools for online discussion are suitable for; How to make minutes and records of discussions or collective decisions. If you are interested in participating in this event, the application form is here.
The list of all activities of Ambrela's organizations will be regularly updated here: https://ambrela.org/spravy/koronavirus-a-aktivity-clenov-i-pozorovatelov-nasej-ambrely/
Author: PhDr. et RNDr. Božena Markovič Baluchová, PhD. www.ambrela.org