Creating safe spaces for dialogue on malaria research and prevention

Allen  Namata  is  a  Target Malaria Uganda  Community Field Stakeholder  Engagement  Assistant  based in  Kansambwe  Village,  Nsadzi  Island,  Mukono  district working with the project to help turn  scientific information into community understanding, helping families learn, share, and take charge of their fight against malaria. 

How  does  your day start? 

The  first thing I do  when I  leave home  is  open  the  Target Malaria  office  on the  island.  I make sure everything is  in order  for  the day. If there are  some  stakeholders  needing  information, I attend to them  before  I go to the community radio where I  inform  the community about malaria,  such as  what causes it, how to prevent it, and the ongoing research efforts  by Target Malaria  in our area. 

What kind of questions do stakeholders usually ask you? 

• When does  malaria  research end? 

• Is there any change in malaria reduction? 

• When is the field entomology  team coming back? 

• When are we receiving our project T-shirts? 

These questions remind me just how invested the community is in the fight against malaria and how much they value being kept informed.  

What are some strategies you use to ensure communities feel heard and respected? 

To make sure community members feel heard and respected, I take their concerns seriously. I report their  concerns to the team  in  time, and we use our office as a safe space where anyone can come and share challenges or feedback  on the project activities. We  have  set up a  suggestion box  for those who prefer to share their thoughts privately, and  the  grievance committee  meets regularly to discuss and address issues raised. 

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping people understand scientific information in ways that are relatable. We often use  local languages  to explain technical terms, and we rely on  photo interpretations  and visual aids to make the science behind malaria control easier to grasp.  It’s  amazing to see people’s faces light up when they realize they understand something that once seemed complicated. 

Have you had any challenging experiences  you’d  like to  share  and how have you countered them? 

Of course, there are  challenges,  but  patience and understanding are key. I try to listen  to everyone  carefully and  ensure that their feedback is passed on to the right people.  

Sometimes we engage the community as they go about their daily work like sewing  and preparing  nets and boats,  and their concentration is sometimes divided but  I  make time  to answer every question that comes my way  and I always welcome them to our office for clarity. 

What changes have you seen over time in how communities engage with our work? 

Over time, I  have  seen remarkable changes in how communities engage with our work. People have become more knowledgeable about malaria prevention;  they understand how mosquitoes breed, where to seek treatment, and the importance of using preventive measures.  

What keeps you motivated? 

What keeps me motivated are the small victories and the personal growth this work brings. Through this job, I  have  interacted with people from many different social backgrounds  and my  interpersonal communication skills  have grown tremendously. I  have  learned  the true meaning of teamwork, patience, and respect. 

What are you most excited about in the future? 

I hope to see  the project achieving the desired aim  of ending malaria.  Every day in the field brings  us  a step closer to that  goal and  every conversation I have  strengthens  my belief in the power of  community engagement.