Rona & Bola
Fighting Covid-19 in Sierra Leone
GOAL partners with Freetown City Council and Idris Elba's film production company to drive Covid-19 awareness in Sierra Leone
GOAL has teamed up with Freetown City Council and Idris Elba's production company, Green Door Pictures, to help protect Sierra Leoneans from the spread of the coronavirus.
Working in partnership with Emminence Africa, the transformative information campaign aims to reach every household in Sierra Leone with vital Covid-19 prevention messaging.
The campaign will see the roll-out of five two-minute information videos on four Sierra Leonean television channels and nine radio stations as well as on social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube. The video and audio episodes contain key messages and actions for Covid-19 prevention and control including the importance of social distancing, good hygiene and wearing of face masks.
Rona & Bola Episode 1
The videos include two animation characters Bola (representing the Ebola virus which hit Sierra Leone in 2014) and Rona (representing the Coronavirus). Bola is encouraging Rona to be the “better” virus, stressing how the Coronavirus has potential to be far more devastating that the Ebola outbreak which killed over 1,500 people.
Rona & Bola Episode 2
Speaking about the campaign Idris Elba said: “I am delighted to be part of this transformative and urgently needed partnership and campaign that seeks to protect the most vulnerable people using the power of drama, technology and humanitarian experience. Sierra Leone is very close to my heart as it is the country where my father was born and grew up. One of my proudest moments was when I received honorary citizenship of Sierra Leone last December, and it was the perfect opportunity for me to make my first visit to the country.”
Rona & Bola Episode 3
The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, said: “This is a unique collaboration between Freetown City Council, GOAL and Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures to help protect communities from the threat of Covid-19, to “Transform Freetown” and encourage Freetonians to “take their city back. The episodes are tailored to educate all Freetonians to be committed to improve Freetown. The city deserves better and we all need to embrace our flaws, ignite our passion and build on our strength to make our city great.“
GOAL Sierra Leone Country Director, Gashaw MeKonnen, said: “We are honoured that Idris Elba and his team have collaborated with Freetown City Council and GOAL in the fight against Covid-19 in Sierra Leone. The impact of this unique partnership is transformative. We thank Idris Elba for his generosity, passion and commitment to this life-saving campaign. Our goal is to reach every single household and our hope is that the campaign will help educate people and inform behaviour changes that will save lives.”
Rona & Bola Episode 4
Since Covid-19 was confirmed in Sierra Leone GOAL has reached over 4 million people with public health information. It has also supported food distribution to families in quarantine. With the support of Idris, his production company Green Door Pictures and Eminence Africa we hope to reach millions more, protect vulnerable communities, and help to save lives.
In recent years GOAL teams have been on the front-lines combating the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone. This experience is helping to bolster our work to combat the spread of Covid-19 and protect local communities.
Rona & Bola Episode 5
GOAL staff are also working closely with Freetown City Council to provide food and clean water to patients in quarantine and self-isolation.
Across the world communities are pulling together as one. Prevention is crucial to tackle the spread of this virus. And education can help to save lives.
