Uniting communities around creative spaces for health messaging

Recovery efforts in the Cyclone Idai ravaged communities have required ZIRP partners to dig deep to find ways of delivering their development objectives and, while doing so, help to reunite and heal the fragile communities.  UNICEF has rolled out community art murals to support health awareness in 8 of the ZIRP targeted districts.

The murals act as collective thought spaces to create dialogue and raise awareness amongst mothers, caregivers, fathers and communities on promoting health messages, including information on promoting maternal, neonatal and child health services and promoting male participation in family health. This outdoor media campaign targets nearly  2.5 million people, including 400,000 children and almost 200,000 pregnant and lactating women in the three predominantly rural provinces.

The process of developing the art mural is consultative and participatory. Community members are engaged during the creative process of depicting the images that will convey the correct messaging. Community members are also engaged in site selection. When the artists commence the painting, community workers once again are called on to assist in the painting.

Local authorities such as Tsitsi Nyanhete, the Ministry of Health and Child Care District Health Promotion Officer for Chipinge district, are excited about the potential reach of the campaign. At Chako shopping centre, one of the sites for the murals, the community’s enthusiasm was easily noticeable. One woman said the mural reminded her of one she had seen earlier on malaria prevention. “Once you see the pictures, you never forget,” she said. Others were fascinated by the combination of colour, images and words to engrain health messages in the community’s conscience.