Though times are quite difficult, all is not lost. There is still much hope in humanity and many people are working tirelessly to make sure that nobody is left behind during these trying times.

Still, there is no doubt that these are also unprecedented times as well. Some people are scared and it’s okay to be. But it’s important to not allow one’s fear to be crippling.

Fortunately, people from all walks of life have banded together to help make a difference. Whether it’s through music, donating, volunteering, or working on the front lines, there truly isn’t a limit to what we can do together.

That is exactly why a group of women rowers from Row Venice in Venice, Italy, decided to use their skills to help those in need in their community.

While it’s more common to visit your neighbors using a vehicle with an engine, these rowers are using the “Batela coda di gambero” (shrimp-tailed wooden boats) to transport goods to the elderly and others in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Normally, from April to October, the non-profit organization uses their beautiful batellas to give lessons on the sparkling lagoon. Of course, many of their schedules were cleared when stay-at-home orders were issued.

The instructors at Row Venice are a mix of champion rowers, racers, and those who simply love to row. Before Italy shut down, many of the instructors were training for the upcoming racing season. But after the first half of the season was canceled, some women began looking for ways to continue training.

Eventually, they discovered that more and more home-bound Venetians were placing orders to small, organic produce companies. That’s when Row Venice volunteered their boats as a means of transportation to deliver the orders.

Donning masks and gloves, the women travel through the lagoon with boxes full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Though the method is slower than driving a vehicle, it is much more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

If you have been keeping up with the news, you might be aware that Italy was hit extremely hard by the virus. According to John Hopkins University and Medicine, there are currently more than 205,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Italy alone. In addition, there have been more than 27,000 deaths.

Italy has been under lockdown since March 9. The lockdown includes strict limits on how often citizens are able to leave their houses. For example, citizens need to have a “self-certification” form whenever they leave their residence.

The form should include the reason why that person is outside of their home. It will be required until at least May 18.

Recently, the country has been looking to its future and is planning on slowly reopening. According to The Local Italy, shops, exhibits, museums, and cultural sites may be reopened as early as May 18.

The Prime Minister announced that beginning on May 4, restrictions will be eased. Soon, citizens will be allowed to visit nearby relatives, exercise outdoors, order takeout from restaurants, and attend funerals.

No doubt, there will be a lot of changes. In the meantime, the women at Row Venice hope that their ecological approach to delivering items is accepted as the new norm.

If you would like to see the women of Row Venice in action, check out the video below!

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Sources: InspireMore, Row Venice, Travel and Leisure