PAINT THE CHANGE EAST AFRICA

Fighting Covid19 disinformation with music and street art in Kenya

Happy New Year 🎉 with love, art and music from Kenya!

A new exciting and hopeful music video from the talented Kenyan musician Moji Shortbabaa @MojiShortbabaa warns us about the dangers of misinformation and why we must protect ourselves from dangerous lies. Featuring murals by artist Msale @musaisa supported by @paintthechangeglobal and @healthstudioeastafrica

“Street artists have a power most people have not experienced” — @musaisa

Thank you to everyone involved in the project, including @MojiShortbabaa, @musaisa and all the school children and community from the Kabiro Human Development Centre in Kawangware,

If you're in the neighbourhood, go check the mural out at the Kabiro Community Centre in Karangware Nairobi, #Kenya.

Uganda

Paint the Change East Africa held a covid misinformation workshop with the Kampala-based Ugandan group, Policy in Action for Fundamental Change and Development, hosting children and youth, parents, the elderly and people living with disabilities, to explore examples of misinformation and fake news that affect the community. Medical guidance, community dialogue and artwork were used together as the community members brainstormed, learned about underlying issues, and co-created a public mural that represented the workshop experience. The workshop culminated in the creation of a mural representing the different discussions that took place, led by artist Wamala Kyeyune Joseph.

Kenya

Paint the Change East Africa also worked with Ukunda Youth Polytechnic, in Diani, Ukunda, on Kenya’s coast, hosted workshops for university students to discuss covid and to confront misinformation. A doctor worked with the participants to discuss the various forms of misinformation they encounter in their work – while local celebrity Aisha Mwajumla talked about fake news. Mwajumla also explained her struggles to get a covid vaccination in a widely hesitant community.

Artist Musasia Wanyande’s portrait, of a woman wearing a mask, featured a workshop participant who is also a member of the Ukunda community. Misleading information about the Covid-19 virus and its vaccines spread quickly during the pandemic. But our partners at @healthstudiokenya are countering coronavirus misinformation by educating communities in Kenya through their website health.studio and on our social media pages Health Studio Kenya on Facebook and Instagram.

Nairobi

Street artist @musasia_ led the painting of our new 70m #mural in the Korogocho slums, #Nairobi, with the help of children from @acakoro_academy_ to sensitise the local community to COVID disinformation 🦠

Misleading information about the Covid-19 virus and its vaccines spread quickly during the pandemic. But our partners at @healthstudioeastafrica are countering #coronavirus misinformation by educating communities in Kenya through their website health.studio and on our social media pages Health Studio East Africa on Facebook and Instagram.

Debunking the misconceptions: face masks help in slowing the spread of coronavirus by limiting the volume and travel distance of expiratory droplets dispersed when talking, breathing, and coughing. They should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps.

However, they are NOT a substitute for the other preventive measures. Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, frequently wash your hands with soap and clean water and get vaccinated. Your health, your responsibility!

For more information visit health.studio