ANTA takes pride in extending its community services by successfully organizing the Covid awareness program - Phase 1 for the first time to help reduce and or prevent the spread of COVID in marginalized neighboring communities of Rajbiraj Municipality, Saptari, Nepal. ANTA is very thankful to the youth volunteers from Rajdevi Yuwa Samaaj for their service for this social cause. About 200 packets, each packet containing (4 cloth masks, 2 soaps, thermometer, cetamol, and multivitamins) were distributed today.

The entire program has been designed to take place in two phases over two consecutive days, most likely December 14 and 15. Phase 1 is based out of two villages; first, in a remote rural small village of Simyaun about 1KM south of Rajbiraj, a hamlet of about 100 families, and second about 0.5 KM East in Farseth, another hamlet of about 150 families, both villages mostly comprising Mushar and marginalized groups who are not better positioned to bear the cost of masks and such essentials to fight the outgrowth of COVID. They are hardly able to afford their living, forget masks and soap, etc. which would be otherwise at the cost of their livelihood and food. This relief effort will alleviate the community to manage the spread of  COVID as the team would be directly distributing masks hand to hand, and motivating them to wear the mask through 5-10 minutes of cognizant speech and illustrations before distribution.  

The second phase has been planned to be based within Rajbiraj Municipality in Kharsal tola and at various other wards that comprise Mushar, Chamas, and other marginalized groups making their living by selling bamboo baskets, mud pots, etc. I believe ANTA can make a difference in managing the spread of COVID within these groups through this effort. ANTA coordinated with Rajdevi Yuva Samaj, a local youths group of Rajbiraj who would be leading the event and distribution efforts in the above-mentioned localities.

Phase 1 -> 2 Villages (Simyaun and Farseth)

Phase 2 -> Kharsal Tola and Ward Numbers 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11

Each packet would contain 4 cloth masks and 2 Dettol soaps.