Face mask project bears fruit in both local and wildlife community
In Vukuzenzele, a small village of Masibekela, a resident, Ntokozo Mahlalela, took it upon himself to make a small change in people's lives by initiating a face mask distribution project in aid of his less-fortunate fellow residents.
KOMATIPOORT – The Haraka Wildlife Initiative (an NPC), another local organisation, availed funds to mass-produce these masks.
A mask-maker was identified in Vukuzenzele: Florence Vukeya, a single mother. Vukeya and a small group of local women undertook the production with such veracity that it started off a lucrative add-on product business, made possible with funding from the Haraka Wildlife Initiative.
The demand for the masks increased immensely and this led to the small family-operated business seeking extra hands, and employing another local woman.
The profit made the project viable, the funding spilt over into more production and soon more women could join in the manufacturing of masks.
ALSO READ: Malelane SUPERSPAR makes the best of Covid-19
A total of 380 masks were bought at market value as part of the first initial order by the Haraka Wildlife Initiative.
Of these, 240 were donated to locals in need around Masibekela, and 140 to rangers and staff directly involved with the protection of the African rhino in the Kruger National Park.
The initiative was so well received that an additional 140 masks were produced through a similar project in the Tonga area, through Lynette Repinga. As a result, the rangers could be donated two pairs each to keep them safe, clean and efficient.
“Haraka” is a Swahili word that means “urgency”. “This project, like the others initiated by Haraka Wildlife Initiative, aims to bring wealth to the poor and rural areas, and thus change the lives of people.
It finds expression by breathing much-needed air into local communities and wildlife conservation,” said Abel Lugar, operational director of the Haraka Wildlife Initiative.
ALSO READ: Truck drivers bear the brunt of backlog at Lebombo border
