5,500 Reusable Face Masks distributed in response to COVID-19 health protocols for Schools

In May 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) approved a project for 5,500 reusable fabric face masks to be provided mainly to students in need. This was in response to the health protocols for COVID-19 issued by the Ministry of Health, which stipulated that students would be required to wear face masks when the school year began in September 2020.

The project was initiated during the lockdown period when most borders were closed and shipping logistics were challenging. As such, the face masks were 100% locally made, printed and packaged. MCT Office coordinated and oversaw the production, printing, packaging and distribution of these masks. A local face mask manufacturer was engaged who hired several seamstresses and tailors across St. Vincent & the Grenadines and even included some prison inmates. Two small local printing companies were engaged to print logos on the masks and MCT hired a small project team to package the masks. As such, the project provided a source of income for all involved during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

A little over 4,000 face masks were distributed to the Primary School students and teachers during the Mustique Charitable Trust Book Programme where a face mask was included in every bag with the books. A further 600 masks was distributed to the 11 Secondary Schools with MCT School Meal Programme and Mustique Island was provided with 600 masks. The remaining masks were to be distributed to other MCT Grantees such as the children homes and Richmond Vale Academy.

Considering the limited resources available during COVID-19 lockdown period, all parties who contributed to the final product must be commended for their efforts. The majority of the finish product were of quality standard and the masks were completed and distributed to the students in time for the new school year.

Mustique Charitable Trust to the Rescue – Read the article in the Kingstown Searchlight