Inspired by the pay-it-forward concept, #SGStrong grantee Rose Boey wondered how she could help her neighbours during this pandemic. With the global shortage of surgical masks at one point, money alone could not buy the protection it provided. Therefore, Rose devised the Blanjah-a-Mask project to allow members of her local community to share these masks with one another.
Partnering with 10 food and beverage outlets in one of Singapores more densely populated areas, Jurong East, the Blanjah-a-Mask scheme enabled patrons who spent a set amount of money to receive a free mask. Then, in the spirit of pay-it-forward, they could choose to donate that mask to someone who needs it more.
My most rewarding experience is realizing the great responsibility that I hold as a volunteer, as I cant pack surgical masks when Im feeling unwell. So self care and personal hygiene became a prerequisite for this volunteering work.
— Rose Boey
By empowering consumers with the option of passing their masks onto those who need it more, Roses project effectively built a community of giving in her local area. Many low-income families who could not afford masks benefitted from the thoughtfulness of their neighbours. We hope that Roses project will inspire you to pay-it-forward too, because you never know whos day you might make. Together, we are stronger than COVID-19.