Why I show up at COVID-19 treatment centers in Sierra Leone even though I'm afraid
My father text my mother to warn me to be careful. Then he text me to tell me that he had sent my mother a message to warn me about being careful.
Then I told him if he was worried he should tell me directly instead of telling mom cause my mom will just worry more.
Then he text me: “I am worried” and in that moment I realized that for every ounce of pride he may feel, there is twice the fear that I might get Covid. I know that fear comes from a place of deep loving.
While I have gone to several Covid treatment facilities and I’ve been in contact with frontline health workers who treat patients I am being as careful as can be.
Honestly, I do not want to be going to Covid treatment facilities. I don’t even want to be involved in fundraising for healthcare workers.
I am not doing this work because I want to do it, I’m doing this work because it needs to be done.
Every time I want to skip out on going to a facility, to send someone I think of those who do not have the option but to be at the frontline. Their parents do not have the option but to worry. Their children do not have this option but to watch them leave each day.
Sometimes you have to show up in person to look people in the eye and bear witness. Especially in a crisis like this it matters that someone like me who has the option to not be there shows up to say; “thank you, I see you, I appreciate you”.
I am doing everything within reason to be as safe as I can. I know I am someone’s daughter and someone’s mother, and a sister and a friend but so are the healthcare workers, they too belong to someone and are of someone.
So while I can, I’ll keep showing up even if just to listen and say thank you. My hope that by showing up it makes someone (who has no choice but to be at the frontline) feel valued for the service they provide and appreciated for the sacrifices that they and their loved ones make to serve daily.
We are in this together, is something we have to demonstrate by actions grounded in love, empathy, and kindness.
Photo: Me stealing a hug from Steph on Friday at FBC cause sometimes even the ones who come to bear witness get weary too. Also, God knew what she was doing when she made Steph quarantine with me! It has been a blessing. I needed a sister in this struggle.
Every week since April 24 C19 Dignity Project have been visiting COVID-19 treatment facilities to deliver medicine, medical tools and hygiene supplies. C19 Dignity is a citizen-led community mobilization project to ensure that frontline health workers in Sierra Leone have what they need to provide quality of care. Click here to send medical supplies and tools to frontline health workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sierra Leone
