About a dozen refugees from Afghanistan are making masks in New Jersey to help protect against Covid-19. So far they have produced more than 2,000 $10 organic fabric masks. The masks are sold online through Global Grace Marketplace (https://global-grace-marketplace-cafe-square.site/) and fair trade stores across the country.
As the pandemic shut down the economy and furloughed refugees who had just started working, Interfaith Rise (http://www.interfaithrise.org), a church-based resettlement agency, began distributing sewing machines to those who had sewing experience. One of the refugees developed a prototype and a refugee-only work force was formed. Their sewing pays about $15.00 an hour and has helped to connect these new Americans to their new world.