Women self-help groups from Goa
have come forward to help in the fight against coronavirus by preparing low cost masks for distribution among lower income group people in villages of the coastal state.
A group of women from Mattedadi near Dabhal village of South Goa district learnt from YouTube how to prepare the masks, and since then they have been stitching hundreds of masks every day.
"With one meter of cloth, 12 masks can be made. If one improves his/her skill, then a mask can be stitched in 5 to 7 minutes," Poonam Samant, a social worker from Bethora area near Ponda town in South Goa, told PTI.
Samant has been instrumental in encouraging the local self-help groups (SHGs) to take a break from doing embroidery and stitching dresses, and take up the work of preparing face masks to fight the coronavirus crisis.
"Women need not move out of their homes. They can sit at home and help the nation in the fight against coronavirus," she said.
Samant has been providing white or blue coloured cloth the women SHGs for preparing the masks.
"These masks are then sold to people living in villages for as low as Rs 15 per piece, she said, adding that the masks are reusable.
Several women from South Goa's Sanvordem village, which was once an iron ore belt, have also joined the mission.
Shreya Tari, deputy sarpanch of Sanvordem, has been encouraging women to join various SHGs to earn a livelihood.
Before the coronavirus crisis hit the globe, women from these SHGs were busy learning how to make coir-based products.
"In view of the current situation, we decided to join hands and provide masks to people at affordable rates. All our members voluntarily agreed and within a few hours, we stitched around 2,000 masks which were supplied to people through the Sanvordem village panchayat," Tari said.
The masks are sold at Rs 25 per piece, with the women keeping minimum profit for themselves.
"This is our contribution to the nation, Tari said.
After the masks are stitched, they are sanitised before being supplied to people, she added.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
