In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, five volunteers made face masks and soaps for health frontliners in Labasa who have had to risk their lives daily.

The volunteers from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Labasa District Youth Council made 150 masks and 150 soaps for health workers in the northern town.

This was handed over to the Divisional Medical Officer Northern Veerarahgavan Subramanian, Subdivisional Medical Officer of Macuata Tiko Saumalua and Divisional Director Nursing North Mereseini Kamunaga at their office in Labasa.

Ministry of Youth and Sports Northern Division manager Walter Matalau said the female volunteers had practically undergone a sewing training through the ministry’s skills and empowerment programme.

“They were willing to give something back to their communities by making soaps and masks for free,” Mr Matalau said.

Labasa District Youth Council co-ordinator Mohammed Shanil said this exercise would hopefully expand to a bigger scale if the pandemic persists.

“I would like to thank the youth club leaders for contributing towards the provision of raw materials and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) human rights access to justice project for their support,” Mr Shanil said.

Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala applauded the initiative.

Mr Bala said the ministry heeded his advice to always think outside the box.

“Youths are talented, innovative and very energetic. They need proper guidance and advice,” Mr Bala said.

“Once this energy and innovation are channelled positively, we will reap great rewards.”

The volunteers are Swastika Sagar, Neha Karan, Sheenal Nair, Vandhna Sami and Shinal Swastika.

Meanwhile, Macuata provincial administrator Kalivati Rabuka, Mr Subramanian and Mr Saumalua thanked the ministry for being thoughtful during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteer, Vandhana Sami, 30, of Solove, Labasa said she hoped to start her own business soon.

“Right now I am unemployed, so I am helping the ministry out to make masks and soap,” the mother of one said.

“Lot of things are required to start a business, and the most important aspect is the market. If there is a market available, I will make every effort to make and sell masks from home.”

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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