O use of masks during the Covid-19 epidemic is essential – in addition to several international studies, the Ministry of Health itself campaigns encouraging and showing the benefits of using masks in the prevention of the new coronavirus. In the state of Sao Paulo e em several cities in Rio de Janeiro, such as the capital and Niterói, use is mandatory – measure also adopted by other municipalities in the country arbitrarily.
Uliving strongly follows these recommendations and started making masks available to employees for use throughout the work period. But much more than that, we also saw in this the chance to help some of the most fragile workers by placing them on our list of suppliers.
For this reason, we pursued initiatives that encourage small producers that are focused on making masks. We are always looking to encourage small traders, who are also severely affected by the economic instability we are experiencing. In this search, we found Astra Network, in São Paulo, and the COUPLES Cáritas RJ, in Rio de Janeiro, and we think it's important to share these stories!
Astra Network
São Paulo
Rede Asta is a social business that seeks to encourage the economy of people who work with handmade products, seeking artisans “who transform waste into good, beautiful and good products”, as described on the institution’s website.
In addition to working with the cause since 2005 and having encouraged the movement of more than R$ 10 million in the last decade, Astra created a map linking mask producers to the direct public. On the Network's website, you will find the “Mask Finder”, which by geolocation shows which are the garments closest to you. Too much, right?
If you want to know more about the organization, just visit their website – and it is worth following the projects that go beyond the production of masks. We will definitely keep an eye out.
COUPLES Cáritas RJ
Rio de Janeiro
PARES Cáritas RJ was the first Assistance Program for Refugees in Brazil, having been founded there in 1975 and being a partner of the UN. Since then, the institution has helped to welcome refugees and insert them into society, also collaborating with the employability of several of them.
Among the refugees served by the program, we chose two incredible women to produce the masks for our team in Rio de Janeiro. It is worth remembering that Rio instituted the mandatory use of protective masks on city streets and transport, as well as in neighboring cities, such as Niterói and Duque de Caxias.
A yennifer, who is an industrial engineer by training, was born in Venezuela and came to Brazil in 2018. With the support of CARITAS COUPLES, took a course in caring for the elderly and, working at the Association for the Support of Women with Neoplasia (AAMN), discovered a workshop. It was then that she started selling pillows, dishtowels and other products from her brand, which has a instagram full of beautiful arts and products. With Covid-19, new needs came, and so it began to produce protective masks, with all the recommendations that the Ministry of Health (double fabric). Too much, right?!
Already Mariama came from a place a little further away: The Gambia. Taken out of school to get married at just 13 years old, Mariama came to Brazil to fulfill her big dream, which was to study. she created the sabaly, a brand of clothing and accessories inspired by Afro-Latin culture and, with the emergence of the new coronavirus, found an alternative form of income in the production of double fabric masks. But of course, the masks have the touch of your brand: the prints are on the masks and make them more beautiful and stylish. Take a look at the girl's productions on Instagram!
It is important to point out that the best alternative to curb the Covid-19 outbreak in Brazil is to stay at home if possible, constantly wash your hands with soap and water or sanitize them with 70% alcohol gel and wear masks – with the necessary changes to every 2 hours and cleaning after use. Only then, together, can we stop the virus and save lives.
Stay well, at home and take care!
Want to learn more about what Uliving is doing to address COVID-19? Access the portal uliving.com.br/coronavirus and keep up to date on our actions 🙂
