FMT in partnership with The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) brings you a Covid-19 “healer” from Tajikistan.

Mahfuza Yorova, 35, is a community-based rehabilitation worker from Anzob village in northwest Tajikistan. She helps those with disabilities remain safe from Covid-19.

At her own expense, she makes face masks with cotton gauze fabric and distributes them for free.

Since the first cases were announced in the country on April 30 last year, Mahfuza has distributed over 800 homemade face masks, along with hygiene kits and food packages, to nearly 200 people with disabilities in her village and the neighbouring village of Marzij.

The hygiene kits and food packages were provided through a project funded by the European Union and Caritas Germany.

Mahfuza joined the project two years ago, and provides rehabilitation services to 25 persons with disabilities in her community.

She shares basic knowledge of Covid symptoms and causes, and advises on preventative measures including how to properly wear a face mask, use disinfectant, and wash hands with soap.

“Persons with disabilities may be at higher risk of contracting Covid-19, and I do this charitable work to receive God’s blessing,” Mahfuza says.

Samariddin Bahriddinov was born in 1980 in South Tajikistan. After completing a BA in Journalism and Translation at the Tajik National University in 2001, he worked as an editor and a newsreader for the World Service of Radio Tajikistan for five years. He has worked for different international organisations implementing projects in Tajikistan. View his profile here.

‘The Other Hundred Healers’ is an initiative by the non-profit organisation GIFT. The 240-page, full-colour, hardcover book can be purchased here at US$40 per copy for a minimum order of 20 copies.