Tamale, Ghana

Goodman
Mohammed
Basir Yussi
15 years old

My street is a cosmopolitan area with predominantly Moslems. The people on my street practice the extended family system. They perform cultural and social activities such as funerals, naming ceremony, weddings, almost on daily basis. My street is a busy place characterized by groups along the street playing indoor games whilst young people play football, ride bicycles, or just roam on the streets. When the lock down came, all these activities came to a halt, social gatherings were banned. People including the young persons were restricted to their homes and were to observe the protocols such as wearing of nose mask, handwashing with soap, use of sanitizers and it was not easy adopting to the new way of life.

These changes had many negative implications on young people because schools were closed, later electronic classes were introduced but most pupils could not access it because they were not having electronic gadgets. Mingling with friends, after school, playing together after a hectic days' work was missing. We used to learn together, share our homework, visit our friends, ride bicycles, and play football together but these had seized leaving us bored and lonely at home.

Tamale, Ghana

Najat Jibreel
17 years old

Up until the outbreak of Covid-19, life was normal, schools in session, attendance to prayers in churches and mosques, and other socioeconomic activities. There was sharing, caring, hugging and hand shaking. These things which were taken for granted, seized in the twinkle of an eye and we all including adolescents had to learn a new way of life. I know that life in the streets and our communities had changed completely. This change was not necessarily the absence of humans on the streets or closure of schools but a change in that social and economic lives of young persons. Young people were restricted from church and mosque for long periods, but these are integral social and religious activities that young people also enjoyed doing.

As a young Moslem girl, congregational prayers were of essence to me but with Covid the celebration of the Ramadan festivals were restricted, we could not engage in the communal sharing, visitation and excitement that goes with the celebration due to Covid-19. May Allah heal our land.

Thiès, Senegal

Sokhna Diankha
17 years old

I am Sokhna Mbene Diankha, 17 years old and I finished high school in scientific series. I live in Thies, in the district of RANDOULEN NORD.

Before COVID 19, our streets were busy and everyone went about their business. We had the opportunity to get together to practice different community activities such as sports, collective and educational games, etc. However, with COVID 19 and the restrictive measures taken by the authorities we are faced with an anxiety because we are not used to this home-like lifestyle. This has affected behavior in the community and particularly among adolescents.

Distance learning has also helped to avoid gatherings, thus reducing the spread of the pandemic. Socially, adolescents and young people were not spared by the crisis, which increased their social vulnerability and pushed many households into precariousness due to loss of income. Despite this our communities have adhered to the measures indicated and young people have participated strongly in the fight against COVID through communication activities supported mainly by the " Fort Pour le Futur " project. Advocacy for greater involvement of the Mayor is underway and will allow more resources to be redirected towards the health of the population.

Cali, Colombia

Jean Paul
12 years old

The block where I live looks desolated now. You see that people are not going out so much are following the recommendations. Before Covid-19, I was always going out and playing with my friends. We rode our bikes and played soccer. I was outside from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, after school so when I was told that I wouldn't be able to go out because of Covid-19 I felt very bad because I had to stop seeing my friends… and being home alone wasn't going to be the same as hanging out with them on the street. Covid-19 is a very lethal virus that can kill us. There were many families crying for their loved ones and missing them. I am getting used to wearing a mask and keeping distance. It is not the same as before. When I was outside on the street, I was able to run, play and jump with my friends. Now with the Covid-19 I keep protecting myself. I hardly ever go out, just sometimes. At home, I play board games with my family. We play bingo and parqués (Parcheesi) with my parents and my sister.

My recommendation for the city government and the community leaders is to do a confinement and for someone to visit by each house providing hand sanitizer and other safety implements.

Cali, Colombia

Sharick
12 years old

The street where I live is beautiful. It has colors, plants and a lot of life. Before Covid-19, people were happy. We were always sharing and playing. I used to be outside all afternoon. From noon to 5:00 pm! I did not ride a bike, because I did not have one then, but I played a lot with my friends. We liked playing with a ball and playing catch. When Covid-19 arrived, I felt sad because I couldn't go out. I couldn't play. I couldn't share or run around with my friends. I did not have the freedom I had before. I also felt sad because people deserved to live but because of Covid-19, and the lack of vaccines, many died. Adapting to the restrictions was good because I learned to take better care of myself, to wash my hands every day, and not to spend so much time outside. And now I ride a bike! At home, I used to spend time playing parqués (Parcheesi) with my mother and my brother. I did homework and went to bed early.

My recommendation to the mayor and the city is that everyone should heed and stay home. They should only go out with masks and keep the hand sanitizer on hand. They should keep the social distancing to prevent Covid-19 and only go out if they have a medical appointment or need to buy food… just for the necessary.