During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health of Uganda and the World Health Organization (WHO) came up with different measures to combat the virus. It soon became clear that face masks were one of the most effective steps in prevention.
At the Nakivale Library, community members requested masks to have on hand in case visitors to the library didn’t come with any of their own. Luckily, we had been working with community groups in Nakivale to produce these masks, and with the help of 365, we were able to produce even more and create a stock for the library’s use only.
“I never thought l would get two more masks!” said 13-year old Yolandi Maseke from Burundi, who comes to the library every day. “It has been a struggle during washing intervals. I end up putting them on damp while rushing for my reading sessions at the library.”
Vendredi Shonga, a 14-year-old Congolese girl who has found a second home at the library, was excited for the extra protection the masks will provide as well.
“My masks were totally worn out and I had no hope of getting a new one until now,” she said. “The library is such a blessing to this settlement!”
The library’s most frequent customers can now breathe a little easier, and feel a little safer.
