Original article: http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/April/2/topstory8.htm
The Negrense Volunteers for Change has been doing its share to combat the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on two fronts and, so far, has exceeded its initial targets.
The foundation has been making gowns and facial shields to help meet the shortage of personal protective equipment for health frontliners, and providing food assistance to families who have lost their means of livelihood since mid-March.
Millie Kilayko, NVC president, said they have delivered 6,000 facial shields and 1,000 are in the production line.
They have also delivered 2,000 hospital PPE gowns, some made of material with happy floral designs, and 2,629 more are being produced, she said.
The facial shields and gowns were delivered to more than 50 hospitals and health centers across Negros Occidental, from Hinoba-an to Escalante.
About 60 students, millennials, professionals, retirees, and businessmen have lent their support to the NVC battle versus COVID-19, Kilayko said.
The shields were made entirely by volunteers.
The gowns were sewn by women, from the upper crust to blue collar earners. Some sewers from marginalized communities were paid for labor so that the effort could help provide income opportunities, she said.
NVC has also delivered 266,233 Mingo meals to the needy, many of them through partner organizations, churches of different denominations, and the provincial government of Negros Occidental, she added.
Mingo, manufactured by NVC Foundation, is a nutritious instant complimentary food made of rice, mung beans (mongo) and moringa (malunggay).
NVC still has 67,640 Mingo meals in reserve, she added.
The foundation also delivered 350 food packs to households, Kilayko said.
The foundation has received P2,785,580 from donors from all walks of life, some anonymous, she said.
Those who wish to join NVC’s battle to ease the impact of COVID-19 on frontliners in hospitals and on the poor may connect through its website www.nvcfoundation-ph.org or 0917-300-8736, Kilayko said.*CPG
