Covid-19
Tostan is happy to offer open-source access to two informational booklets on the Coronavirus, developed at the outset of the pandemic in collaboration with our partner communities and internationally recognized health experts. They address the realities and social norms of rural African communities and provide factual information on the pandemic in local African languages.
The first booklet, Let’s Protect Our Families and Communities from Coronavirus, discusses how the coronavirus is transmitted, symptoms of COVID-19, recommended prevention measures that take into account the realities and social norms of African villagers, and phone numbers to call for further information and support.
The second booklet presents an Islamic Perspective on Epidemics, Pandemics and Contagious Diseases and provides specific Qu’ranic verses and a contextualization in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authored by a well-known and highly respected Islamic rights specialist, Imam Mamadou Chérif Diop, the booklet reinforces medical and governmental recommendations on preventing the spread of the virus.
As of December, 2020, Tostan has published and distributed over 70,000 booklets in national languages in hundreds of our partner communities and to local radio stations in the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, and Senegal. We are currently working with a range of partners, including the governments of our five countries of operation, in order to share and distribute all materials to health and educational centers.
The booklets are now available in 15 languages: Bamanankan, Creole, English, French, Fula (Pulaar), Haussa, Igbo, Mandinka, Maninka, Oniyan, Portuguese, Somali, Swahili, Wolof and Yoruba.
For educational or non-commercial purposes, Tostan authorizes permission to reprint these booklets if there are no changes made to the content. However, any adaptations of the booklets require written permission from Tostan. For information regarding reproduction of the booklets, or if you would like to receive printer-ready templates for printing purposes, please contact Tostan at info@tostan.org.
Tostan is pleased to bring its many years of experience in social norms change in the provision of life-saving, culturally relevant information to prevent the spread of this tragic illness.
Download Tostan’s Booklets on COVID-19 and on An Islamic Perspective on Pandemics, Epidemics, and Contagious Diseases
Portuguese
Portuguese COVID Booklet
Maninka
Maninka COVID Booklet
Oniyan
Oniyan COVID Booklet
Swahili
Swahili COVID Booklet
Somali
Somali COVID Booklet
Haussa
Haussa COVID Booklet
Yoruba
Yoruba COVID Booklet
What people say about the booklets
“We here in our village are so happy. Tostan brought us books with pictures that help us to better understand this illness so we can read and share the information with everyone in the village. We are studying what coronavirus is, how it is transmitted, and how we can prevent the illness. This is so important for us! Everyone is interested in the booklets and we are following the advice.”
“I participate in radio programs in Koulikoro, Mali using the booklet written by Imam Mamadou Chérif Diop – The Perspective of Islam on Epidemics, Pandemics and Contagious Illnesses and Preventive Measures Prescribed by Islam. It is very helpful in encouraging people to follow the prevention measures. I have also used the information from both booklets on the coronavirus in my Friday sermons and at other community events where I am often invited to speak.”
“The booklet in Swahili is such a timely and great idea! This will help many people since it’s a conversant language for many rural communities in Kenya and the inclusion of pictures will improve people’s understanding of what is being explained – and, in turn, will curb the spread of COVID-19. I’m proud to have reviewed the booklet.”
