Covid-induced negativity, fear and anxiety are spreading much faster than the virus itself. These demons have engulfed most of us affecting our mental health. Amid this, the thought of being in a quarantine center can easily freak you out. However, the inmates of a quarantine center in Nagaland won’t agree on this.
To bring some positivity amid the Covid blues, Chizami Task Force under Phek district in Nagaland has transformed their Quarantine center into ‘Covid-19 Creative Hub’. In this center, the returnees are provided with DIY projects so that they don’t feel negative, bored or stressed.
This creative hub was initiated by the village council together with local administrative bodies. “We don’t want to use the word ‘quarantine center’ as the term itself brings in a sense of negativity”, said Wetshele Thopi, Convener of Chizami while talking to a media organization.
The main objective was to provide the returnees a stress free environment while making best use of their time at the center. The returnees are given a basic starter kit provided by an NGO NE Network. Using these kits, the returnees can get involved into various creative activities including writing, drawing, knitting, sketching etc. Being engaged in such activities not only result in productivity but also helps in keep them positive amid the crisis.
Going with the name, this creative hub has creativity dripping in every corner starting right from its gate. The quarantine huts are eco-friendly as they are made with bamboo which is easily available in the village. Each hut has two beds. The facility of rainwater harvesting has also been created so that there’s no shortage of water for the people there.
The entire creative hub has been prepared with available resources and with minimum plastic usage. They had to use plastics for constructing toilets and bathrooms as there was no other option.
The food prepared is packed in a locally available leaf. A compost pit has been dug in the area where the returnees dispose their wet waste. In case of dry waste, each returnee is supposed to burn his/her dry waste before leaving the hub.
The pandemic has changed the courses of our lives. People are going difficult times mentally, physically and financially. Amid all these, initiatives like Covid Creative Hub can bring about a great deal of positivity.
(Feature image source: Colo Mero)
