In the face of the current pandemic, we’re supporting our mission hospital partners in their urgent need to keep staff and patients safe from infection. High on the urgent list is the need for PPE, soap, and improved water supply.
Responding to requests from the hospitals, The Raven Trust – along with Alba Aid, Smileawi, The Bananabox Trust – are providing funds towards the costs of making face-masks locally, and the purchase of soap supplies.
This is being made possible through The Bananabox Trust, whose associates in Malawi have commissioned local tailors to get producing face masks on a large scale, using materials purchased locally.
As at the beginning of August – and only a month after the project was hatched – an amazing 4,000 masks had been made and distributed, and as many bars of soap, at Ekwendeni Hospital and the surrounding villages, with distribution now extending to Livingstonia.
Scenes at Ekwendeni.
Scenes at David Gordon Memorial Hospital, Livingstonia
Face masks are also being made at Embangweni. We intend to sponsor further production for all three locations, and are also considering extending this project to the local production of scrubs for clinical staff.
Also at Embangweni, management have let us know about their wishes to improve the water supply to the hospital. This has been planned for some time, but is now urgent with the need for extra hygiene precautions for all staff, patients and visitors.
Current hand-washing facilities at Embangweni.
Together with John Challis (now officially retired from The Raven Trust!!), who is familiar with the existing supply system, we are looking to see how we can support the development of a reliable scheme, and then contribute funding towards construction, to start as soon as possible.