The new coronavirus has brought total uncertainty to the world and one of the main prevention measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the use of masks. With this concern, women of the Macuxi ethnic group, from the Maturuca community, Serras region, Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, made 350 homemade masks for donation.
The women's coordinator Marizete de Souza, of the Macuxi ethnic group, explains that the idea of making fabric masks, which are reusable, was to replace the TNT masks that are disposable.
In order not to cause crowds, the seamstresses divided themselves between working at the Regional Work House of the Movement of Indigenous Women of the Mountains, Koko Juventina, which means Grandma Juventina (CTREMMIS), and in their own homes.
"A total of 350 masks were produced. Of these, 190 were distributed to the security guards of the sanitary barriers and the rest we will distribute to infected children, leaders and families", explained Marizete, adding that in the Maturuca community alone, where 620 people live, more than 200 were infected by Covid-19.
The masks were distributed at the barriers in the communities of Tabatinga, Lilás, Willimon, Pedra Branca and São Mateus. The work of manufacturing the masks was supported by the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), Cafod and Nia Tero, which donated 157 meters of fabric, thread and elastic.