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The novel coronavirus pandemic left thousands of female heads of households without work. Seamstresses and artisans lost their only source of income. Meanwhile, masks became a mandatory item for everyone, contributing to the end of the pandemic in Brazil.
Faced with this scenario, the Mask + Income project was born, an innovative union between Vale Foundation - whose mission is to contribute to the development of the territories where the company operates - and Rede Asta, and, the partnership of Wheaton Precious Metals.
The Mask + Income project consists of mapping seamstresses across Brazil who are in situations of social vulnerability and who lost their monthly income during the pandemic, offering them a new path for income generation. They are registered in the project by regional coordinators, receive a raw material kit, and are paid per mask produced daily, ensuring their income for 3 months.
Thousands of female artisans and seamstresses from all regions of Brazil are producing fabric masks in their homes or small studios. These masks will be donated to organizations they designate, with no logistical costs, ensuring the masks reach the people who need this protection the most.
The mapping of artisans and seamstresses was initially carried out by women who had already registered on the mask locator, a tool made available on the Rede Asta website at the beginning of the pandemic. As the project developed, 5 coordinators were brought on in each region of the country to deepen the mapping of seamstresses living in vulnerable pockets of the country who are most in need of income during this pandemic.
In the Mask + Income project, we work on the pillars of: income generation, regional diversity, local reach, and the production of life-saving masks.
Artisans and seamstresses who wish to sign up and have the capacity to produce homemade masks that cover the face and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 should visit the Rede Asta website and fill out the form on the Mask Locator.
