Upon Royal Command, a project to produce high-quality face masks within the country, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, has distributed over 120,000 reusable face masks to frontline workers since the start of the second nationwide lockdown.
The mass production of the face masks, which were designed with the guidance of Her Royal Highness, serves to provide frontline workers across the country with high-quality face masks, as well as income opportunities for over 225 kidu recipient tailors.
Over 8,000 such masks reached Samtse to be used by front liners. Front liners like municipal garbage truck driver Lal Bhadur Chettri, who are in constant contact with people.
“We go to every household to collect solid waste. The masks issued to us, the frontline workers, by His Majesty and Her Royal Highness provide us with extra safety. The mask will help keep the virus away. This mask has been beneficial to us,” he said.
An additional 40,000 masks are still being distributed, and over 300,000 are in production to be distributed to students and teachers.
“This mask is different from the ones we used earlier. It is different in design and comfortable to wear. His Majesty has been granting us gifts now and then. We are grateful for the continuous soelras we receive,” said Tashi Lhamo, a Desuup in Samtse.
Coordinated by Project HOPE, a master tailor trained a group of 225 people in Thimphu and Paro to carry out the stitching work. The master tailor also oversaw the quality checks on each mask before they were cleaned, packaged, and sent for distribution by the members of the HOPE team.
Sherub Dorji, Samtse
