United Way Innovation: The Impact of Community during Covid-19- United Way Ghana
United Way Ghana recognizes the importance of education and communal efforts as a pipeline to success. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in communities’ access to resources. In partnership with local community-based organizations (CBOs), United Way organized sustainable relief initiatives to help families in need during this health crisis. These initiatives include community sensitization in local languages, donation of personal protection equipment (PPE) and food supplies, and engaging of young learners while out of the classroom.
Community Sensitization in Local Languages
United Way translated key information surrounding COVID-19 and its effects into local languages to ensure community members are educated and up to date.
Donation of PPE and Food Supplies
The distribution of masks, soaps, and hand sanitizer play an essential role in relief efforts. PPE and food supplies are distributed to community members by volunteers. United Way collected data face-to-face, making the health of all participants a top priority.
Home Literacy Engagement
Shortly after United Way began distributing meals and PPE equipment, the team recognized a lack of resources in most homes for learning during the pandemic. Many households did not have televisions, which prevented children from taking part in educational programming aired by Ghana’s Ministry of Education. United Way, Mother of All Nations Foundation, and Achievers Ghana developed reading materials informing youth on the current health crisis. These materials are tailored to volunteers who distribute reading material and assignments to evaluate pupils’ progress after one-two weeks of receiving the reading material.
Partnerships
United Way has coordinated response efforts with community-based organizations such as Mother of All Nations Foundation, Muslim Family Counseling Services, and Achievers Ghana. These longstanding partnerships provided United Way with an in-depth understanding of the issues faced in communities like Accra and Kumasi. Partnering CBOs assisted in data collection, distribution of PPE and food supplies, and literacy programs. Volunteers travel to each home, gathering information about family size and estimated needs. Families are assessed by the number of meals needed and occupations of household leads.
Data Collection Takeaways
• Families depend on schools to provide meals. United Way reported that schools guaranteed one substantial meal for children
• The average household houses up to ten children
• Children who attend private school demonstrated higher literacy and comprehension skills than those who received public school instruction
• Most children do not have storybooks at home to read
• Elder community members in need of medical and day-to-day assistance often live alone
Challenges
Initially, communities may be reluctant to trust and receive help from United Way; this is why CBO’s are so important. Partnering with local organizations that are familiar with the community helps ease concerns about its members’ interests.
Advice to Other United Ways
It takes a village to raise a child. Volunteers are the foundation of United Way’s efforts. A communal effort is essential to making the needed changes in health and education. CBO involvement should not be considered an afterthought. Establishing a partnership from the beginning gives local organizations an understanding of United Way’s goals and objectives.
