Every single purchase of one of these lemur-themed masks supports the efforts of one of Madagascar’s leading conservation charities in their innovative mask exchange scheme.
By now we’ve all seen the heartbreaking images of discarded disposable face masks making their way into rivers, wild habitats and the ocean. There’s no question that while face masks remain mandatory, reusables are the way forward.
Well, now you can also help five people in the poorest country in the world by buying a reusable mask like this one.
With everyone from Aldi to Adidas offering face masks for sale, there are a plenty of options available, but an innovative UK charity, SEED Madagascar, have an unmissable deal – buy one, get five free.
Who are SEED Madagascar?
SEED Madagascar are an environmental and humanitarian charity working to help both the people and animals of the African island. Their projects range from school and toilet building to improving primate habitats and protecting turtle nesting sites. Coronavirus is now causing additional challenges however.
Madagascar and Coronavirus
Madagascar is the poorest country in the world, with almost 80% of the population living on less than $1.90 per day.
Whilst coronavirus is impacting us all massively, on the island there are few health services, many people’s immune systems are already compromised, mortality rates are among the worst in the world and communication systems, to tell people about the virus and how to avoid it, are poor.
It is predicted as much as 10% of the population may die from the virus.
Face masks on the island are therefore vitally important to help prevent the spread of CV and are relatively cheap to produce.
How the iconic ring-tailed lemur is helping
Thus SEED Madagascar have come up with an innovative way to help fund their production and distribution to some of the most vulnerable; they are selling face masks, produced in the UK, for £5 (with a new design launched featuring one of Madagascar’s most famous inhabitants, the ringed lemur).
The funds from the masks’ sales then goes towards commissioning 5 masks to be made by skilled community members in Madagascar. One pound covers the cost of materials, labour at 2.5x the minimum wage, and distribution of a single mask.
“We can’t over estimate how vitally important helping those in Madagascar with the spread of CV is. It’s been difficult controlling the virus in rich developed countries, so it’s terrifying to think about what the final toll might be in poor developing countries.” – Mark Jacobs, SEED Madagascar Director
Click here to buy a lemur mask and support the project
You can also help by volunteering to create face masks for sale in the UK – visit here for details.
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