More and more, as I read about the developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, I become more convinced that recognising the role of human agency is an essential component in contending with the ramifications of the pandemic and life after.

Chris Barker, in his publication: “Making sense of cultural studies,” outlined that “agency” is the capacity of persons to act independently and make their own choices. This ‘free will’ or agency of individuals is positioned within the wider constructs or structures of the societies that the individuals like in that may influence their decisions. These constructs include the class system, religion, ethnicity, customs, and norms, inter alia.

For me, in this pandemic, there is much emphasis being placed on ensuring that the “systems” function effectively to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus and that these systems are adjusted to help stop the spread of the virus. But perhaps, there is greater value to be garnered when this systems approach is integrated with the role of human agency.

Some researchers have found that human agency is an essential component in conceptualising social resilience, which has largely remained unsatisfactorily addressed (Bohle et al, 2009). Instead, these researchers bemoaned that the narratives and discourses on resilience have been centred around the efficiency and effectiveness of the systems and structures within society.

Now, it pleases my heart to see so many people (especially many of the youth groups and my friends and old schoolmates!) join hands to provide some sort of relief to the more vulnerable families and communities during this period of uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am happy to know that persons have recognised that while this pandemic and its ramifications affect everyone, there are those persons who are disproportionately affected and require that extra assistance.

And in the interim, I am well aware that hampers may very well be what persons need to help cope with the effects of COVID-19. An interesting conversation I had this past week, however, made me realise that recognising the value of human agency augurs well for more middle to long term development.

Through this conversation, I found out two organisations, working in seemingly different spheres (technology and culture), decided to pool their resources in an attempt to provide greater assistance to vulnerable communities during COVID-19. It was great to see how the strengths and capabilities of each organisation led to the conceptualisation of innovative solutions, but more importantly, these bodies illustrated that in providing help for vulnerable persons, it is not just about meeting their immediate needs, but it is also about helping them find ways of helping themselves.

Anecdotally, while they recognise that a family may need fish to survive for the day or a week- and that is given- teaching the family how to fish would help that family provide for themselves in a more long term sense.

It is not just about providing hampers to people (which, let me emphasise, is also important), but it is also about providing ways so that persons would subsequently be able to provide for themselves too. And the two organisation teaming up decided that they could provide seeds and seedlings to help vulnerable communities start-up farming activities; they could provide small loans to help persons commercialise the masks they were making at home; and even, they could help provide opportunities for education, so that the persons would craft their solutions to their vulnerabilities.

This recognition of human agency, for me, is what makes the difference in contending with the hardships around us (COVID-19 or otherwise), and is what helps to build the inherent resilience of people.

On the more direct effects of COVID-19, human agency has also proven to be a major boost to the fight against the pandemic. The physical distancing measures, while mandated by governments, are essentially still actions taken by people because they are conscious that it would help flatten the curve. Washing hands and adopting more hygienic practices are also examples of how human agency has been brought to the fore.

I recall too, that local paediatrician Dr. Hardat Persaud emphasised that adults should recognise the agency of children in combating COVID-19. He explained that when children are empowered they can engage in some measures that they can do on their own, without constant intervention from parents; this includes washing their hands and being more amenable (in some instances) during the pandemic.

So, this just all goes to show that while we are dependent on systems and structures to work for us, recognising the value of human agency is important. Cliché or not, humans are resilient people, and we are resilient because we find ways of overcoming.