In Sierra Leone, the country with the highest reported number of Ebola cases during the 2014-16 crisis, we helped challenge Ebola-related stigma and shared life-saving information with large numbers of people, by means of:
- A weekly radio discussion programme Kick Ebola Nar Salone (Kick Ebola out of Sierra Leone) and radio drama Mr Plan-Plan. We also broadcast Mr Plan-Plan in Liberia
- A special discussion and phone-in programmes during national “stay at home” initiatives during which volunteers searched door-to-door for Ebola cases
- Hard-hitting, attention-grabbing public service announcements covering a range of topics including the dangers of attending burials
- Adapting our long-running radio programmes Fo Rod (Crossroads) and Tok Bot Salone (Talk About Sierra Leone) to help people ask the authorities about their response to the outbreak
- Training and mentoring journalists and station managers from over 36 partner radio stations
- Making expert media appearances
Powerful programmes
Our radio programmes showed the human face of Ebola. In one moving episode of Kick Ebola Nar Salone a nurse described how she had recovered from the virus and the steps she took to avoid infecting her child or other family members. "It couldn't have more vividly refuted [showing] the fear and denial that Ebola has provoked in people," said Musa Sangarie, programme manager, adding "we hope her story will inspire others to seek treatment early."
To talk about one’s own death is strictly taboo in Sierra Leone but our radio presenters did just that, live on-air, in order to encourage safe burials, "I pledge that if I die from Ebola, I forbid any of my relations to touch my body" said presenter Olabisi Olu-Garrick.
Radio producer Mustapha Dumbuya wrote movingly in his blog about the loss of 16 members of his family and how this inspired him to work even more tirelessly on programming to save lives.
Be prepared
We partnered with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to deliver "Lifeline" communication training to media, officials and humanitarian workers in 10 countries at risk of Ebola across West Africa. This enabled them to respond rapidly should a health emergency arise by circulating accurate information and relevant programmes.
Project information
| Project name | Kick out Ebola |
| Funder |
UNICEF, DFID, OSIWA, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation We are also grateful for in-kind support from Western Union |
| Dates | 2014-2016 |
| Themes | Resilience and humanitarian, health |
| Outputs | Kick Ebola Nar Salone (Kick Ebola out of Sierra Leone) and public service announcements |
| Broadcast partners | 40 local radio stations |
Ebola response
Read more about our response
Our projects in Sierra Leone
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Empowering adolescent girls in Sierra Leone
There are 32,500 girls in Sierra Leone aged 13-17 who are not in school. Our project called Every Adolescent Girl Empowered and Resilient (EAGER) aims to aid in their transition to education, training or employment and inspire hope for their future. -
Protecting independent media for effective development
We are working with media support organisations and local partners to find out what works in supporting public interest media in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Bangladesh. -
Protecting pregnant women and children from malaria in Sierra Leone
Using insight from our response to the Ebola outbreak we're building awareness about malaria for those most at risk, using radio, TV, social media and community outreach. -
Using radio and television to inspire young people in Sierra Leone
Mi Stori (My Story) aims to inspire young people in Sierra Leone to be active, positive participants in their community through an interactive radio show and mini-documentaries championing positive role models.
