Theresa has survived ebola. Of her family of six, she was the only one who lived.
"I felt so awful, I don't even know how to describe it," she recalls. "My whole body felt weak."
The virus has decimated Theresa's community. Ebola killed 70% of those who got infected. "We didn't believe ebola existed," Theresa adds. "It was too unbelievable."
Story continues after "In Short"
In Short
- Ebola and now COVID-19 has hit the poorest parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- 70% of those who contracted Ebola passed away.
- World Vision partners with local, trusted leaders to stop the spread of deadly diseases like Ebola and COVID-19
"It was my pastor who helped me," Theresa continues and explains that she went to the treatment centre only because he encouraged her to do so.
Theresa's pastor was trained by World Vision on Ebola and on what to teach people to stay safe. There was a lot of misinformation about the pandemic but because they trusted their spiritual leaders and village elders, people started to heed their advice on how to prevent getting infected.
The lessons learnt from fighting Ebola are now equipping us and the most vulnerable communities to prepare for COVID-19. World Vision is again partnering with local, trusted leaders to stop the spread of the virus.
What can I do?
It’s easy to feel helpless in situations like this but rest assured… you, us, everyone, together, can help make life-changing impact. And we are!
Here are two different ways you can be a part of the change.
- 1
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