COVID-19 Response through masks and soap making

 The world is facing one of the most difficult times now with COVID-19 pandemic. Malawi has declared a State of Disaster on 20 March. We spoke to Moses Phulusa, our Community Coordinator to learn about how Mbando village was faring and what they felt about this pandemic. Moses said that about half the people in the village took this seriously, have stopped shaking hands and stopped going to crowded places including to church! While the rest were taking it lightly, he said with a tone of disappoinment in his voice. Government was airing radio programmes and using all media houses to talk about the pandemic. In the cities, Ruth Mumba our Director said there were vehicles with loud speakers spreading the message to city dwellers. 

While a complete lockdown has not happened in Malawi, many people are working from home including Ruth Mumba and our Administrator Grace Moyo. During this time, we have been able to mobilise a few volunteers to start making masks out of cloth. These colourful masks, we hope to share freely with those who request for it. At Mbando village, it is possible to make masks, as we have already trained over 80 girls/women during a training on reusable sanitary pad making. 

All those who were trained were given small sewing kits to take home with them. Furthermore, we trained a youth, Maria in sewing at a vocational training center in Zomba for six months. After the training, we gifted her a sewing machine. 

Maria and others at the village are keen to start producing masks, if we can give them a small fund to purchase fabric, thread and needles. The funds can be transferred through mobile money, thereby avoiding any travel to the village by Abundance staff. There are local markets that the women can access to purchase these items and start producing masks.

Another important message we have been hearing as part of COVID-19 is to wash our hands! This reminded us of the mothers at Mbando village. A group of women from the Mother's GrouP had approached us previously with a desire to make soaps at home using locally available materials such as oils, lard, cornmeal, salt and caustic soda. They learnt the recipe from the learning resources provided at our eLearning Center, which we built using crowdfunding through Global Giving. This might be a chance to support this venture as well. Infact, it is a sustainable project even after COVID-19 , providing income to the women. Fort starters during this pandemic we could support the women to make soaps and distribute freely in the village. 

If you are interested to support these ideas, please email us at [email protected]

Stay Safe!
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