Who can be trusted in these tumultuous times when there is fear and uncertainty? In many societies religious leaders are among those most trusted by communities. In Zambia, a community of Catholic nuns are delivering public health messages and answering questions from the public on a radio station that has an estimated reach of 1.5 million people, with audiences in the Eastern, Central, Luapula, and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia. The show, "COVID-19 Awareness Programme," was launched in March. 
 
The host’s factual, honest approach and good humor, including banter with callers, are credited with easing fear and anxiety among a large public, including both Catholics and others. The fact that it uses many of Zambia’s diverse languages (over 70 are spoken) increases its appeal. The program answers questions live such as: “How do I maintain best practices when traveling to the marketplace to buy bread? (Stay distant, wear a mask and ration your trips.); If I'm coughing, should I travel to the hospital, or wait for community health workers to come to me? (Wait for a home visit: It limits the risk of spread.); Why do grocery stores keep measuring my temperature before I walk in? (To screen for the virus and avoid transmission.)”

Sister Astridah Banda, the host, made her radio debut in 2014. She and her community of nuns spearheaded a program to deliver key messages on maternal health and early childhood development. Unlike other forms of media, radio has the ability to reach underserved populations, especially in rural places, where television and the internet may not be accessible. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Alight, a global aid group which works with a network of over 700,000 Catholic nuns around the world, provide information and other support.

(Based on: June 4, 2020, NPR article)