Espaço EscutArte runs a mask campaign for ASCORSI

Because of COVID-19, wearing masks and changing them often became a first priority in many workplaces, both to protect workers’ health and to slow the spread of the virus.

Even in the middle of a pandemic, essential services must carry on, so that the social fabric and the health of cities are preserved. Many NGOs were struggling to obtain masks and other basic supplies, whether because of shortages or because of a sharp rise in costs.

One such organisation is ASCORSI, the Association of Solid Waste Collectors of Itapira, which provides a service essential to the environment in the city of Itapira, São Paulo. It collects all the recyclable material in the municipality, sends it on for recycling and, through that work, provides income to dozens of members.

To cover its basic costs and pay its workers, the association relies on municipal funding and on the sale of the material it collects. But the rise in spending on personal protective equipment, together with the global economic crisis, made it harder to keep the work safe for every member — many of whom were in an at-risk group.

Espaço EscutArte ran a mask donation campaign in which anyone could help, within their means. The options were:

1 — Make masks at home and donate them directly to ASCORSI. For that, we made a video showing how to make reusable masks quickly and easily. The materials are inexpensive and can even come from things you already have.

2 — Donate masks to ASCORSI directly, bought or made to other patterns.

3 — Donate money directly to ASCORSI, by getting in touch on +55 (19) 3863-2512.

Anyone who took part and donated to ASCORSI could enter a draw for one of four crochet masks, handmade by Mãos de Fa...da.

Remember: doing good does us good. Take part, and share the campaign.