Masks for Refugees

#Masks4refugees campaign

#Masks4Refugees: A Project by Friends, for Friends

Masks 4 Refugees is a project started by two passionate friends, Ms. Shirley Soh and Dr. Lai Ah-Eng as part of a Singapore Volunteer network to contribute handmade sewn masks to raise funds for the Rohingya refugee efforts in Aceh, Indonesia. Their project aims to assist refugees in protecting themselves amidst the coronavirus pandemic through the donation of masks.

With the help of volunteers who lovingly stitched up masks for refugees, 1,000 pieces of masks have reached its recipients across the causeway in Malaysia!! Also, as of 2 November 2020, Singapore Volunteers have raised S$1,274 from the sales of masks sewn by volunteers and cloth from fabric donors!

To spread festive cheer, the remaining masks will now be used to raise funds to support Rohingya refugees in Aceh.

More details about #Masks4Refugees by Singapore Volunteers can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/Mask4Refugees

Campaign Objectives

Teaming up with Singapore Volunteers, Advocates For Refugees – SG (AFR-SG) hopes to raise funds to support ongoing relief efforts for Rohingya refugees in Aceh, led by Yayasan Geutanyoë.

100% of the profits from this sale will go towards supporting Yayasan Geutanyoë. Funds are necessary to sustain Geutanyoë’s provision of essential necessities and educational and psychosocial support activities, of which the majority in need are women and children who may have been denied opportunities for education. Through education, Rohingya are able to acquire language skills to interact and better integrate with the host community, they are able to strengthen their community’s resilience and are empowered with knowledge to protect themselves from danger and lead productive lives.

As Yayasan Geutanyoë is a non-profit organisation, your financial support will go a long way in enabling the foundation to continue its good work.

How can you help!

Purchase

Purchase handmade mask(s) (perhaps as a Christmas present?)

Handmade and sewn by volunteers, these fabric mask(s) are available in 3 sizes with exclusive limited designs!

Donate

Pay-it-Forward by donating $$ and the masks will be donated to a local charity organization

(You may wish to contribute any amount. However, do take note that every $12 is equivalent to 1 mask)

About the masks

Masks for Fundraising

Made of cotton/poly cotton.
Machine-washed or hand washed. Dry as per normal.
Comes with elastic bands.
New cloth not up cycled.
Sizes:
- Size S – A: 10cm B: 13.5cm (tighter fit)
- Size M – A: 10cm B: 14cm
- Size̶ ̶L̶ ̶-̶ ̶A̶:̶ ̶1̶3̶c̶m̶ ̶B̶:̶ ̶1̶5̶c̶m̶ (sorry, sold out!)
Prices (inclusive of normal mail):
- 1 for $12
- 2 for $20

Join our campaign and let’s show solidarity to our Rohingya friends and give the gift of hope and a better tomorrow.

TO PURCHASE OR DONATE

Click here

Background: Rohingya refugees in Aceh

Arrival into Aceh

According to Channel News Asia (CNA), on 7 September 2020, nearly 300 Rohingya refugees landed in Northern Aceh after an unthinkable seven months at sea. There are currently 395 Rohingya in Aceh – some arrived earlier in June – with the majority of them women and children. The refugees are housed in long-term shelters run by the local government with support from NGOs such as Yayasan Geutanyoë.

(Image : Almost 300 Rohingya came ashore on Indonesia’s Sumatra island early on Sep 7, 2020, according to authorities. (Photo: AFP/Rahmat Mirza))

Persecution from Myanmar

Stateless and denied citizenship by Myanmar, the Rohingya people have been subject to systemic violence and persecution for decades. In search of safety, stability and a life with dignity, they have fled across borders to refugee camps in Bangladesh and boarded boats in an attempt to seek refuge in other neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

(Image: A Rohingya woman is assisted to walk by others after the boat carrying them landed in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province, Indonesia, early Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. (Photo: AP/Zik Maulana)

Dangers at Sea

In the case of those who recently arrived in Aceh, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 30 people have been reported to have died during their journey at sea, which started from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and lasted for seven months. Despite many testing negative for COVID-19, many still suffer from other medical conditions such as exposure to sun and malnutrition that they had to endure en route.

Although the local government has pledged shelters in Lhokseumawe for hundreds of Rohingya refugees and is also working with the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure the wellbeing of the refugees, more has to be done to ensure their safety, welfare and health.

References

About the Organizations

Yayasan Geutanyoë

Yayasan Geutanyoë is a non-profit organization registered and based in Aceh since 1999. Geutanyoë works to uphold humanity, dignity, peace and diversity in Southeast Asia, with a focus on empowering refugees & vulnerable communities.

Masks4Refugees

Mask4Refugees was set up by two passionate friends, Ms. Shirley Soh and Dr. Lai Ah-Eng as part of a Singapore Volunteer network to contribute sewn masks to raise funds for the Rohingya refugee efforts in Aceh, Indonesia!