While the long term social-economic impact of COVID-19 remains unknown, Africa Sustainable Tourism Care Foundation is working on a recovery plan to engage local tourism service provider around Kibale National Park in western Uganda in alternative sustainable income-generating projects to replenish the supply of face masks and hand soaps in the region. Funds from the campaign will be used to purchase machines and materials to make face masks and hand soaps.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of these Tourism service providers including women artisans, weavers and reformed poachers who live around the most active tourism areas such as Kibale National Park who once benefited from tourism are struggling with lack of customers and have now been stripped off their livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine lockdown enforced by the government throughout the country.
In light of the impending shortages of face masks and hand soap, ASTCF is planning to work with the local community to replenish the supply of face masks and hand soaps in the region. The making of face masks and hand soaps will provide the community members with alternative sources of income while giving people access to these much-needed essentials.
By mobilizing the community members to build up the reserve of masks and bar soaps, the local people can remain self-sufficient without relying solely on external supply. They can also get an alternative source of income while their livelihood has been largely impacted by covid-19 pandemic.
