In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 that have resurfaced in Liberia, the government in partnership with Last Mile Health is working along with small businesses to produce 200,000 facemasks to be shared within the counties.
One of the lucky small businesses tapped to produce facemasks was Charney’s Couture, a woman-owned and operated fashion and tailor boutique. Charney, who is the CEO of the boutique, explained how excited she was when she received the offer to be part of this initiative. “They called me on the phone and said they wanted to work with my business, it took a while for it to set in,” said Charney, “I understood this was business, but it meant a lot more to me, it mean having an opportunity to help save lives.”
Charney’s Couture was task to produce 50,000 pieces of mask within a few weeks. She knew in order to meet the deadline she would need to scale her business rapidly. “I started to call other women tailors that I’ve worked with in the past, from Red Light, to GSA road communities, they were excited to be part of such a project, and it took on a life of its own,” said Charney.
“Women are hard workers, when we put our mind to something, we get it done,” Charney said excitedly while checking her emails for online orders. “At times we worked 24 hours in order to meet the mask deadlines within a short period of time, we are tired, but we know this is bigger than us.”
After a few weeks of working to produce mask, they are now being distributed in various counties. Thousands of masks, which Charney delivers at the office every day for the last few days because distribution is daily.
“It’s such a challenge in the midst of the virus, to move around crowded market areas purchasing materials for production” Charney shared. However, Charney still manages to do so while keeping herself safe using the coronavirus health protocols.
Charney shared that she is grateful to the government and its partner organization not because she’s being empowered, but for their efforts in ensuring the citizens of Liberia are provided masks to keep themselves protected. She also pleads with citizens to wear their mask in public spaces and follow all health protocol to keep themselves and love ones safe.
Connect with Charney’s Couture on Facebook or email at [email protected].
