President Ramaphosa used the Zulu phrase “Thuma Mina” in his coronavirus national address on Sunday 15 March 2020, and it couldn’t have been more fitting. It means “send me” – words that Isaiah spoke centuries ago when he said:
‘And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”’ – Isaiah 6:8.
As a nonprofit membership network, the time is now to stand united by staying informed with credible information, to act wisely and to look out for one another. Let’s remain calm, caring and responsible, without becoming fearful.
The Valcare team is busy postponing all of our meetings for the next four weeks and the Valcare office will be closed until further notice. Our team will only be available via email and our WhatsApp number: 067 415 6566.
Here are key takeouts that you need to take into consideration:
1. SHARE PREVENTATIVE MESSAGING
Help us to spread the word on the hygiene and social distancing guidelines. Please download, share, print and display the official information documents, available in three languages:
Click here for English poster
Click here for Afrikaans poster
Click here for Xhosa poster
The official data free coronavirus website: https://coronavirus.datafree.co
2. PRACTICE PROPER HYGIENE
Wash your hands properly and regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water / hand sanitiser.
Sneeze or cough in the crook of your elbow or into a tissue and discard into a bin.
3. KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING
All gatherings happening in March and April with more than 100 attendees should be cancelled.
When you have to host a small gathering or meeting, please have strict control measures in place like washing hands before and after and avoiding physical contact.
If possible, allow your team to work remotely and rather have telephonic or cloud meetings. Zoom is a quality, free app that you can download and use for video calls, conference calls and webinars.
If you discover you’ve had contact with someone who was infected, please self-quarantine for 14 days.
4. ACT WHEN YOU FEEL ILL
- If you develop flu-like symptoms, do not panic. Please self-quarantine. This means you must limit your contact with other people.
- Please call the National Coronavirus Hotline (0800 029 999) on what to do next.
- If unwell, stay home, do not go to work or public areas.
5. BE CONSIDERATE AND KIND
- With schools being closed from 18 March 2020 – 14 April 2020, please remember that the children of your team members and beneficiaries will now be at their homes.
- Please be aware that there might be children in your community who won’t have adult supervision during the day, with their caregivers working and schools being closed.
- Many children are also used to receiving meals at school and might be hungry.
6. KEEP THE FAITH
“Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of Your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight.” – Psalm 94:19.
During the next couple of weeks, the Valcare team will be sharing prayers, requests and updates on the Valcare Members WhatsApp group and Valcare Members Facebook Group.
Please save Valcare’s number on your phone so you receive the WhatsApp messages: 067 415 6566.
Thank you for standing united with us to face this challenging time together.
We will get through this, and I am sure that we will grow stronger than ever, together.
Ivan Swartz
CEO of Valcare
