My World of Bags in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has distributed over 2.5 million free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to 334 schools, 1,076 hospitals, and 158 NGOs spread across 10 states in Nigeria through Project SafeUp.
Since October 2020, when it began production and distribution, the initiative has led to the creation of 276 jobs across the production value chain with an 80% increase in the employment for women in these positions.
Project SafeUp is executed under the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program which is aimed at delivering emergency support for health workers, first responders, and students and strengthening the diverse institutions that are the first line of defense against the social and economic aftermath of the pandemic.
Speaking on the benefits of the initiative, Rolake Fadairo, Founder, Cute Cuts said, “Working with Project SafeUp has led to an improvement in the skills and capacity of staff, as well as the procurement of essential production machinery. Through this project, I have been able to learn key management skills that have led to greater business efficiency,” she said.
One of the program participants, Mrs. Ogunremi of the Fajuyi Primary Health Center, explained that the quick turnaround from the initiative meant that PPEs were available when they were most needed. “The PPEs we received gave us protection from the coronavirus during essential surgical procedures and arrived at the perfect time as none were available at that time,” she said.
“The Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program is to ensure that our communities are protected from the pandemic, which has affected many communities across the country. Our partnership with Project SafeUp has helped to reduce the adverse effects of COVID 19 with the production and distribution of PPE’s so that people can return to work and businesses,” said Chidinma Lawanson, Country Head, Mastercard Foundation.
In his own remarks on the initiative, Femi Olayebi, the Project Director & Founder of My World of Bags noted that the organization is pleased to be a critical part of the solution during the pandemic through the Project SafeUp in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
“Over the past 6 months, our team has worked tirelessly to reach as many Nigerians across the country as possible. Every single item of PPE has been crafted with the highest quality of materials and with the utmost care and detail by hundreds of hands that we have been privileged to empower through this project,” he said.
About My World of Bags
My World of Bags (MWOB) is a bag design and corporate accessories manufacturing company, and the parent company of Femi Handbags — a bespoke line of leather handbags and accessories. Founded in 1992 by Femi Olayebi, the company designs and produces a dynamic array of products for businesses and individuals alike.
About Project SafeUp
My World of Bags, in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, has launched Project SafeUp which is an initiative that has produced and distributed over 2.5 million items of PPEs — masks, face shields, gowns, scrubs, shoe covers and headcovers — free of charge. The initiative aims at distributing these items to health workers and the public across a number of South-West states and beyond over the next four months.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.
About the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program
The Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program has two main goals. Firstly, to deliver emergency support for health workers, first responders, and students. Secondly, to strengthen the diverse institutions that are the first line of defense against the social and economic aftermath of this disease. These include universities, financial service providers, businesses, technology start-ups, incubators, government agencies, youth organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
