During these trying and unprecedented times, one of Global Goods Partners’ highest priorities has been to provide critical support to our partners whose needs are greater now than ever.

We have strategized work-from-home implementations and provided emergency grants to our partners in Nepal, South Africa, and Peru who have been left most vulnerable due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns. These GGP grants have funded food packages, healthcare insurance, and personal protective gear such as masks and hand sanitizers for over 200 women and their families. GGP would like to thank you for your donations and support at this time, which have enabled us to provide the following four aid packages:

1.  $250 to Streetwires, our partner in Cape Town, South Africa. In March, the South African government put into place some of the toughest restrictions in the world. These included shutting borders, closing schools, stay-at-home mandates, and a ban on alcohol. GGP funding was distributed to artisans who lacked income to buy food and pay for rent under lockdown conditions. On Monday, August 24th, South Africa is set to ease restrictions and the reopening of businesses.

2.  $500 to GGP partners in Nepal, Nirjala Craft and Nuptse Craft. The current situation in Nepal is very concerning as cases have risen in the past month and the country is under a second strict lockdown. The artisans there are not able to leave their homes at this time unless for essential goods such as medicine and food which has impacted their work production abilities.

Nuptse Craft used the funding to purchase a COVID-19 specific health insurance policy provided by the Nepalese government. At a cost of $5 per person, the policy covers healthcare related expenses up to approximately $850.For Nirjala Craft, funds were used to purchase and distribute food packages for 65 women. These packages included Nepalese staples such as rice, lentils, flour, and oil.

A popular Nepali recipe that our partners shared with us and is pictured below is called Sel Roti. A batter is made of rice flour, powdered sugar, clarified butter and water which is then fried in a ring shape until golden brown. We were told that this dish is traditionally a festive food made as an offering to gods and goddesses but can also serve as a comfort food during difficult times. For a link to a recipe posted by our partners at Food52 click here.

3.  $400 to grant to Alivicha in Peru. COVID-19 has recently spiked in the country and resources for medical care are very limited, especially in the rural areas where the majority of the women that we work with live. Grant funds were used to implement COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, including wearing face masks and using soap and hand sanitizer in the workplace. We believe that these accommodations are crucial in protecting the health and wellbeing of our partners, their families, and the communities in which they live.

The grant allowed members of the Alivicha team to travel to Lima, to purchase facemasks, which were then distributed to 180 artisans. The remaining funds were deposited into each of the artisans bank accounts to buy soap, hand sanitizer, and any other outstanding sanitation products.

Alivicha artisans with new protective gear.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in much of the world, GGP’s network of artisans remain unable to leave their homes and provide a stable income for their families. Many of our partners still require immediate assistance. All donations during this period, which can be made through our site or added when checking out, will go towards our COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

Again, the whole GGP team would like to thank you for your continued support through this difficult time. We pride ourselves in fortifying a community of strong women around the world, and could not support and provide them with assistance without your help.

If you have any questions regarding the specifics of our grants, please feel free to contact plama@globalgoodspartners.org for more information.