Plan affected by Swine Flu

Hi everyone!!
I’m back. It took me a while to write my second post.

As you know there is this virus called H1N1 or Swine Flu which has been getting the world’s attention as it has killed several people and got all the countries on their feet to prevent it from destroying their nation. I do hope none of you have been affected by it directly. I’m sorry for those who have lost close members.

Amnesty International Mauritius Section planned to organised several concerts against discrimination in schools before the Swine Flu hit the world. The concerts would be done by a group of musicians called ‘Amnesty Band’ who will pass on the messages through their songs along with animations and discussions which was suppose to last 1 hour 30 minutes. I was made responsible of the concerts, that is, to contact the schools, write letters to offer the concept, contact the media and do constant communication with the band to let them know of the different changes. I even went to see them at their rehearsals. It was the first time I have seen a band at rehearsals. It was a good experience I may say.

However, during the Swine Flu crisis no one was allowed to make any meetings, assemblies, concerts or any thing which will mean getting people in groups. AIMS had a really difficult time to convince people to do the concerts. After some times, all the schools over Mauritius was closed and the Ministry of Education sent a letter to all the schools saying that although schools will be opened no one is to make any assembly until further notice by the Ministry itself.

AIMS found itself behind in its plan and decided to quickly go in work places and offered the concerts to be done during lunch time. However, this also became a failure due to the Swine Flu. The other hope was to do it in Hyper Markets as this will be one place where people will continue to go for their shopping. We managed to get quite good responses from the Hypermarkets.

As we have learn in our past modules of Public Relations, it is important to plan well and to always have a backing plan if ever something goes wrong with plan A. Although it was a task done under pressure whereby an answer was needed as AIMS wanted to do the concert no matter what, it was a good experience to learn to work under pressure. Also, I have learn to be patient and how to manage my communication skills as there were some people like school directors who were really tensed and at times they cut the phone in my face upon hearing of the suggestion.
Well I hope you are all enjoying your internship. I will be back later with some more news of my internship.