It’s very uplifting to see how so many individuals and groups around the world are doing their bit to help fight the pandemic. I want to mention just one example today. Others will follow.
My friend Arabella in Addis Ababa runs a social enterprise called Arakele. Its aim is to train primarily marginalised women from a range of diverse backgrounds to sew and design clothes. After the students graduate from Arakele’s Fashion and Design College, they are helped to find jobs in which they can use their newly-acquired skills.
Classes at the college have been closed for some time due to the coronavirus. However, staff members are now using their creativity to help the college survive financially and add to the collective effort to combat the virus. They have been using the college’s sewing machines to make a range of washable and breathable cotton masks.
Ethiopia has joined many other countries in advocating the wearing of face coverings when out in public spaces. However, the government says specific surgical masks should only be used by medical staff.
Arakele’s masks are made from two layers of cotton with elastic ear loops. There has already been interest from France, England, Wales and Norway to buy these masks. The college has now started making hospital gowns as well.
Arakele is also making masks to give free to people in need in Ethiopia. If you would like to support this initiative please give money through Paypal. More details at http://www.arakeleplc.org/supportarakele
The college can also send masks directly to customers abroad (producing and delivering within 10 days) via EMS (DHL). Orders are being done by email. arakeleplc@gmail.com
In the past many organisations have sponsored students to learn at Arakele’s Fashion and Design College. These include Plan International, International Fund for Africa, Hope for Children, and the Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development.
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