Volunteer for Covid-19

During this time, persons employed in the medical industry are making great, personal sacrifices to serve our country. Many are working longer hours and some are choosing to self-isolate in order to manage the risk of spreading the disease to their loved ones. As a result, these professionals lack the support their family members would have offered them in terms of tending to their nutritional needs. This problem is further exacerbated by a lack of available fast food options and the challenges associated with easily accessing such options. 

To support our medical heroes, SewaTT is currently providing cooked meals daily at the Sangre Grande General Hospital. The initiative will be expanded to other medical institutions in the month of May. 

As a result of the current challenges related to COVID-19, the world and our country will be under serious economic strain during this time as well as after the pandemic. This impact could be severely detrimental to the most vulnerable citizens of our country. 

Thus, SewaTT is committed to preparing 2000 food packs for distribution to 2000 families that either will not be aided or not adequately served by the government's social services. The cost of this project will be approximately TT$450,000. Contributions can be made to our Republic Bank account: 8708 0110 7401. To avoid the congregating of volunteers, the food pack assembly and distribution will be arranged at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need will still be there.

The rise of cases of COVID-19 in our country has led to a burden on the public health sector. There is a need for more testing kits, sample collection kits and protective equipment. The demand for these items will continuously increase before the situation improves. As such, Sewa TT has liaised with a few companies from Singapore that can provide sample collection kits. We will be working to fund 10,000 of these kits for use in the public sector, once approved by the necessary authorities. The expected delivery of these supplies is the second week of May. 

Yoga Classes for All

This period has, undoubtedly, led to increased levels of stress and anxiety for all members of our society. Yoga promotes both mental and physical health and it is very simple to engage in during self-isolation. SewaTT has, therefore, decided to provide free, live stream yoga classes for the population at 6:00 am every morning via Zoom. The 30-minute sessions will entail yoga for strength and immunity, as well as breath-based yoga and pranayama. Our yoga instructors are all trained SEWA TT volunteers who have undergone Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Bharati, USA. 

At this time, communication is essential in keeping the public aware and knowledgeable about their part in managing the spread of COVID 19. SewaTT understands that to truly access the attention of the general public, messages must be delivered via more dynamic channels, in addition to media releases, press conferences, and news reports. As a result, we have embarked on a project to produce 10 videos, both serious and light-hearted, to cater for all audiences. The videos can be viewed on the Sewa TT Facebook page and website. They deal with the following topics:

• Hand washing 

• General Do’s and Don’ts

• How to socially distance

• How to self-isolate

• How to treat your neighbours during a lockdown

• How to care for a person with COVID-19

Recently, the WHO, CDC and our local medical professionals have endorsed the wearing of cloth masks by members of the general public as a means of combating the spread of the virus. Thus,  Sewa TT will be engaging private seamstresses and volunteers to produce reusable masks, using the best available materials. These masks would then be sanitized, packaged and distributed to persons in need. This project will facilitate members of the public in protecting themselves in an environmentally sustainable manner as these masks may be washed and reused.

With the economic effect that this pandemic is causing around the world, food security is now more important than ever. As such, Sewa TT will be sponsoring seedlings to the value of $10,000 for distribution to any persons willing to grow and care for these plants as a means for helping themselves or others with the crops they will eventually reap. Commercial farmers who may also need assistance in regrowing en masse may also be assisted through this effort. It is our belief that this project will encourage an atmosphere of returning to nature in order to nurture our nation.

There are many uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Webinars will seek to provide an interactive platform for addressing some of the pertinent questions on everyone’s minds. Expertise in different fields will bring their knowledge and views on various topics, with the aim of widening the audience’s perspective on the following:

• Managing stress and anxiety during COVID-19 (Yoga Bharati)

• The economy and financial concerns (Economists)

• Medical issues (Medical Practitioners)

• Dealing with a newborn during COVID-19 (Paediatrician)

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased levels of stress and anxiety among citizens of our nation. This has created a need for people to reach out for advice, comfort and human connection. Sewa TT recognises that particularly the elderly population, as well as persons who live in remote areas, may lack access to the Internet to research and maintain regular, digital contact with friends and family. Instead, such individuals may have easier access to cellular and landline telephone services. 

In light of this, our organisation is preparing to launch a ‘comfort line’ which will be a toll-free line for those who may become overwhelmed due to increasing concerns over the virus. This ‘comfort line’ will be manned by trained community workers who will provide a listening ear and suggest coping strategies to those in need. It will be accessible from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm for non-medical matters. Any cases that require professional help will be referred to relevant professionals.

Along with the comfort line, Sewa TT will also be providing 24-hour online chat support via our website. Similar to the hot line, the online chat will provide emotional support for those struggling to cope with COVID-19. It is a service being offered to persons who prefer to express themselves via online chat or who are in need of support when the phone line is closed. This online chat support will be launched together with the comfort line and managed by our trained community workers.

The National Blood Bank indicates that there is currently a decreased number of blood donors at the blood banks, which has now resulted in a severe shortage of the national blood supply. Sewa TT will be liaising with the blood bank to determine how best we can responsibly host a national blood drive, taking into consideration all national restrictions such as social distancing.