Riverside, a group of women survivors from Marawi, elevated their skills to find an opportunity and keep abreast of their current conditions amidst the uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Indeed, there is hope when everything seems nothing” says Nomairah Mimbisa, a member of Riverside Community Solidarity Group (CSG) at Purok 11-A, Tambacan, Iligan City. Her eyes speak hopefulness as how an opportunity, despite of the pandemic situation, was in her favor. She wishes no worsening of the situation but to allow herself from earning.
Her skills in the craft were honed after graduating from the Center-Based Training on Dressmaking last June 10-26, 2019 at St. Laurence Institute of Technology. Two of them, from Riverside CSG were chosen to attend since they also propose a dressmaking livelihood. After the training, the Marawi Response Project (MRP) provided them a sewing machine that they can use to produce initial products and to also demonstrate techniques to their co-CSG members.
Being equipped with an advanced skill, Nomairah started repairing and innovating some fabrics and damaged clothing, making pants for kids, and currently, face masks. Even though she is still adjusting to the automatic sewing machine, she was proud of showing her finished face masks and being able to sell it affordably. “Look at my work, isn’t it beautiful?” she stated as she smiled from ear to ear. She does not need to wait for someone to hand-over a relief, “I am able, and I will work for myself and family.” she added.
Nomairah manufactured 200 face masks and was driven by two main reasons – to help and to earn. It started when she sewed masks for her family. Her relatives and friends noticed her work and started to place orders. Using her own money, she bought materials like cloth and garter for the initial production. Eventually, masks were bought in bulk which made her earn. She made sure that the quality of the product is durable and safe. She realized how the training was so useful in terms of pattern-making and quality-assurance.
The machine that was lent to them by USAID and Plan International benefitted her the most. At the end of this crisis, she is determined to share with her co-CSG members the skill on sewing face masks. A determination that drives her to become someone who shares common good and promote solidarity among community members.
“Even though we only produce a limited number of products, still, there is an assurance that we have something to rely on with our daily expenses” she added.
The production went smoothly not until she noticed a lump on her foot which she uses to operate the machine’s foot pedal. It pains every time she stands or moves. Everything halted as she needs recovery and medication. She suffers through the pain as she fears to go to clinics or hospitals for consultation. Currently, she updated that she is getting better because of herbal medication and continuously sews masks to sell.
“By any chance, I hope that we will be provided with fabric, garter and other materials to continue with the production. There is a lot that we can offer to the people and I want to be of service.”
Throughout her experience as an IDP, she gains inspiration by helping those who are in need. This is her way of reinforcing knowledge and skill to others as she once learned.
The CSG was about to receive their livelihood project last early of March. But due to the virus outbreak, it was postponed and the management will have to wait until further notice from the local government unit. ECOWEB made sure that the group is notified by whatever information is in hand. As of now, the delivery and its nexus of operation is paused and will resume in no later time. Safety is everyone’s priority these days.
Riverside CSG hopes that this phenomenon will end soon. They are hopeful to receive their grant and to see more progress with their life condition. It was hard for the family to earn with this pressing time. Nomairah’s optimism toward striving hard earns her motivation to live.
Despite the swarming virus in the city, ECOWEB continuously reaches out MRP’s beneficiaries by establishing communications through phone calls and social media platforms. Through this, the organization wields utmost effort to keep everyone on track.
