KNYSNA NEWS - MADaboutART is a youth organisation established in Dam-se-Bos in 2002 to reduce the impact of HIV using art and education. During lockdown, with support from Rotary and others, the organisation operates a soup kitchen four days a week, serving about 200 children who are not receiving basic rations at home.
This week they have launched a new campaign, Protecting Lives, to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in vulnerable communities.
"A public-awareness campaign to encourage mask-wearing to reduce spread of Covid-19 began on 8 August with posters displayed on lampposts on the R339 route from Sanlam to Dam-se-Bos North, and in surrounding communities, Khayalethu and Dam-se-Bos South," said trustee Elizabeth Brown.
On Tuesday 11 August the youth group started distributing cloth masks to as many residents as possible. The area is densely populated and disadvantaged, making social distancing and hand hygiene difficult for many. Generally, masks are not being worn in public.
The team of trained volunteers are distributing masks from door to door (two masks a person). The team will educate and motivate homeowners to follow government guidelines on mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene. An information leaflet will be provided to each person. Weekly follow-ups will be carried out to motivate and encourage compliance.
Said Brown: "We have secured funding to source and distribute 600 masks, and produce street posters and information leaflets. We'd like to do more. but we need support. Anyone who would like to contribute to the campaign is encouraged to donate masks (target 1 500) or soap bars (target 2 100)."
Blitsdruk Knysna (9 Pitt Street, phone 044 382 2207) has agreed to act as a drop-off point for donations of masks or soap bars.
For more information, contact Beatrice Jonas on 078 382 7548.
Beaty Jonas, Brendan Jonas and Danolene Jonas put up posters in their community. INSET: Brendan Jones puts up a poster in his community.
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