Covid-19 Pandemic has worsen the life and livelihoods of the people at large. Looking at the increased number of coronavirus positive cases, nationwide lockdown has been declared to break the chain of pandemic. The national and state governments’ advisories have restricted the normal movement of people and completely suspended the running of public transport facilities. Social distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and use of face mask by people is highly recommended in order to keep away from Coronavirus infections. Use of face mask has been made mandatory by the Government of Odisha. As transport facilities are affected to a great extent, availability of mask to the poor tribal people has become a great challenge.

CYSD has been engaged with Children and Youth in  Rayagada district for their holistic development for couple of years. Here, emphasis is being given for youth empowerment through imparting various vocational skill trainings to the unemployed youths and facilitating them job placements or supporting them to start their own enterprise. There are many youths who have received tailoring training, but the lockdown situation has compelled them to stay at home without any productive work.

During the lockdown, when wearing of face mask was announced compulsory, overnight masks were vanished from the local market. A group of 7 young girls, trained earlier on stitching, was encouraged by CYSD field team members to initiate stitching of face masks in bulk during this lockdown period to meet the local demand. Without any hesitation, the group was agreed to start preparing masks. Accordingly, CYSD supported them with raw materials. They stitched double layered masks out of cotton cloth – easy to wash and can be used multiple times at a cheaper rate in comparison to the single coated masks available in the market. Considering the material and labour component the rate of each mask has been fixed at Rs.12/-. Within a week’s time they are able produce around 1500 masks and supplied to the Kolnara Block Administration as well as to other NGOs.

“I was in quest of procuring a few masks for my family use, but could not find a single piece. Thanks to CYSD for igniting my skill and creating an opportunity for us to earn by stitching masks and meeting our own requirements during this lockdown situation”, said Ms. Baijanti Gouda in smiling face.

One of the Community Resource Persons is engaged to extend all logistics support to the group. The young girls belong to Bhujabala and G. Rengalipadu villages of Kolnara GP and Binispur village of Gadiseskhal GP and Dhakraguda village of Kotapeta GP under Kolnara Block of Rayagada district. 

“Taking into account the demands of face masks, we have planned to engage more skilled young girls of other villages in mask production work”, said Mr. Amit Mohapatra, Programme Manager of CYSD.