In addition to ChildFund staff, youth volunteers who took part in ChildFund’s Child Participation for Resilience Project, have been eager to lend their support.
This includes 20-year-old Tawan, who says: “The country is in lockdown. Schools are closed. I have to stay at home with nothing to do while we need more frontline workers volunteers during this difficult situation. So, I decided to volunteer at a vaccination event at Mittaphab Hospital.”
Tawan believes it is essential that people who are worried about the vaccine have a chance to ask questions. “People need facts and information about the COVID-19 vaccines. So, I decided to be here as an aide for the event.”
Tawan is also following strict prevention measures given the increased number of cases in Laos during the last month. “I wear a mask, wash my hands more often and don’t touch my eyes, nose, or mouth.
“I am already fully vaccinated. So even in a worst-case scenario where I become infected, I know that it wouldn’t be a deadly case,” explains Tawan.
In northern Laos, where ChildFund is implementing a range of child-focused development programs, additional support is being provided to rural communities.
Working in partnership with the Government of Xamneua District ChildFund Laos has provided essential medical supplies to 15 villages in Huaphanh Province, including soap, hand sanitiser and surgical masks.
Protecting people and communities must be a collaborative approach, says Touly. “I am proud to be working with partners and youth volunteers to support people coming to get vaccinated.
“Responding to COVID-19 is the responsibility of everyone, not just our healthcare workers.”
