With Lack of PPE in Africa, CovCare Donates Facemasks to Community Highlight on Eve of World Aids Day

After struggling to receive PPE items, CovCare donated facemasks to community based organization Community Highlight, who provides both educational development and raises awareness about preventing the spread of disease in Southeast Africa.

Located along the M3 expressway in Southeast Africa rests the district of Domasi, flanked by the Malosa Forest and Zomba Nature Reserve to the West and Lake Chilwa to the East. 

The access to natural surroundings are abundant, yet for the people within this area and surrounding communities the ability to have access to simple personal protective equipment to fend off viruses and protect themselves is not as natural. Thankfully, community based organization Community Highlight is on the ground making a daily difference by distributing PPE and helping protect those in Southeast Africa. 

Founded in 2015, Community Highlight is based in Domasi, Malawi and operates in two main villages in Nsangeni and Chinyangala located in East Africa and Southeast Africa. While the main focus for Community Highlight is rooted in educational development with four village schools attended by over 200 children ages 3 and above, the organization also raises awareness ranging from health, sanitation, and preventing the spread of disease.

“We try to build sustainable needs-based projects that promote self-sufficiency, rather than focusing on emergency aid. However, the pandemic has meant we have had to operate slightly differently this year and completely focus our efforts on ensuring our community members are kept safe from COVID-19,” said Evie Dickinson, the UK Manager for Community Highlight. 

She would know first-hand about the desperate need to support and care for these communities in East Africa and Southeast Africa. Evie spent a total of six months living in Domasi where she became immersed in the culture and built strong relationships within the community. Through her deep passion for improving the lives of those living in poverty, Evie continues to lend a helping hand during a time when the Coronavirus pandemic remains a world health crisis. 

It’s a big reason why CovCare stepped up to donate facemasks to Community Highlight and the community of Domasi. 

“Working with the team at CovCare has been an absolute pleasure. From the moment I got in touch with the company, to the masks arriving, the service was friendly, personal and reliable. The masks were sent so quickly and the whole process really has been an absolute breeze,” Dickinson explained. 

“Malawi is a very resource-poor country and the emergency services are limited. There is no access to PPE for people living in our district and many people did not have safe hand washing facilities. Through our emergency COVID-19 sanitation project, and with the help of CovCare we have been able to supply around 800 community members with face masks and soap, helping them to protect themselves and their families from the virus that is wreaking havoc across the globe.”

Building a brighter future in Domasi, Malawi, Community Highlight is committed to promoting empowerment and self-sufficiency for both young and old community members alike.

With Community Highlight promoting educational growth, community empowerment and self-sufficiency, the organization also places an emphasis on health and protection during this unprecedented time with the Coronavirus pandemic raging on. 

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the total number of Coronavirus cases in Africa surpassed 1.97 million on November 16, with the death toll in the continent reaching 47,375 (total number of recoveries surpassed 1.66 million). The numbers tell the story from there: of the five geographical regions in the continent, Southern Africa was the hardest hit with 840,300 cases and 21,800 deaths accounted for, with the region also seeing the most number of recoveries at 767,100. In other parts of Africa, North Africa has seen 635,300 cases, East Africa 241,500, West Africa 197,800, Central Africa has registered 62,300 virus cases.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

COVID-19 isn’t the only virus plaguing Africa. East and Southern Africa remain the regions most affected by HIV in the world and is home to the largest number of people living with HIV. With HIV affecting the population as a whole, this is simply another area where Community Highlight is making their presence felt. Malawi’s HIV prevalence is one of the highest in the world, with 9.2% of the adult population (aged 15-49) living with HIV. An estimated one million Malawians were living with HIV in 2018 and 13,000 Malawians died from AIDS-related illnesses in the same year. The Malawian HIV epidemic plays a critical role in the country’s low life expectancy of just 57 years for men and 60 for women.

“The 400 masks donated by CovCare will be distributed to community members across Domasi district with priority being given to people living with HIV, as they are vulnerable to the virus,” said Dickinson. 

“We are currently compiling a list of all the people we know who are living with HIV/AIDS and distribution will begin on December 1st - World AIDS Day.”

World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care in high prevalence countries and around the world.

With Community Highlight receiving donated facemasks from CovCare, distributing PPE on World AIDS Day now becomes a natural fit in Southeast Africa.