“In light of the rising national number of the COVID 19 cases inclusive of journalists, we are compelled to contribute to the fight against the Virus and support them”, said Jamila Mayanja-Founder of Smart Girls Foundation, as she handed over 200 masks to Vision Group’s John Kakande-Editor New Vision today.
Under the Smart Girls Foundation initiative dubbed “Masks for all” which aims to making and distributing masks to frontline and vulnerable personnel, over 11,000 masks have been given freely to Market Women Vendors in the Central business district and journalists in Northern, Western and Eastern regions to ensure protection and safety during this Covid-19 pandemic. The initiative has been supported by the American Embassy in Uganda.
Supporting the choice of beneficiaries, Jamila Mayanja explains “the Foundation’s mandate is to care and inspire a worthwhile and decent standard of living, in this case to extend a hand to people who are in the background making sure the general public accesses authentic information about the COVID 19 pandemic, so that informed decisions are made to fight the Corona Virus. The Market Women consistently supplied food for the public during the lockdown despite the harsh conditions which included spending nights at their stalls in the markets. We regard these people as Heros and therefore deserve protection for safety”
John Kakande, Editor New Vision expressed gratitude towards the generosity expressed by Smart Girls Foundation in partnership with the American Embassy to support the media in Uganda. He called upon journalists to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while carrying out their duties. “Alongside other recommended measures including mass testing we have to turn Masking and Sanitizing into a mandatory practice as we go about our duties to avoid the spread of the Corona virus. Masks are and will continue to be an essential lifestyle for all even during post-lockdown and beyond as we fight the Covid-19 pandemic. I call upon journalists and the General public to keep on the Masks, Sanitize and practice social distancing among others to prevent and mitigate the spread of the virus,” Mr. Kakande advised.
Smart Girls Foundation comprises young women also formerly sex workers and survivors of Gender Based Violence whose hands are behind the Mask making as they earn a decent living during the challenging times of the COVID 19 pandemic.
