Goa: Women SHGs prepare masks to help nation fight COVID-19
A group of women from Mattedadi near Dabhal village ofSouth Goa district learnt from YouTube how to prepare themasks, and since then they have been stitching hundreds ofmasks every day.
"With one meter of cloth, 12 masks can be made. If oneimproves his/her skill, then a mask can be stitched in 5 to 7minutes," Poonam Samant, a social worker from Bethora areanear Ponda town in South Goa, told .
Samant has been instrumental in encouraging the localself-help groups (SHGs) to take a break from doing embroideryand stitching dresses, and take up the work of preparing facemasks to fight the coronavirus crisis.
"Women need not move out of their homes. They can sitat home and help the nation in the fight against coronavirus,"she said.
Samant has been providing white or blue coloured cloththe women SHGs for preparing the masks.
"These masks are then sold to people living invillages for as low as Rs 15 per piece, she said, adding thatthe 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 beenencouraging women to join various SHGs to earn a livelihood.
Before the coronavirus crisis hit the globe, womenfrom these SHGs were busy learning how to make coir-basedproducts.
"In view of the current situation, we decided to joinhands and provide masks to people at affordable rates. All ourmembers voluntarily agreed and within a few hours, we stitchedaround 2,000 masks which were supplied to people through theSanvordem village panchayat," Tari said.
The masks are sold at Rs 25 per piece, with the womenkeeping minimum profit for themselves.
"This is our contribution to the nation, Tari said.
After the masks are stitched, they are sanitisedbefore being supplied to people, she added. RPS GK GK