Mexico
Francisca is a single mother raising two daughters and a baby grandson. She’s part of an indigenous community in Mexico. To support her family, she designed and made colorful clothing to sell. When COVID-19 hit, the shop where she sold most of her items shut down. Her inventory sits in a room in her tiny house.
“I was without work,” she said. “I didn’t have anyone to sell to. A lot of artisans like me lost their jobs as well due to this crisis.”
No work meant Francisca was not able to provide for her family.
“They’re my life, my everything! Without them I would be nothing,” she said with tear filled eyes. “Every day that I worked, I did it for them, to give them a better life!
So Operation Blessing came up with a plan to help Francisca, while addressing another growing need in Mexico: a shortage of quality face masks. We began with a designer, who created a cloth mask that can accommodate a replaceable filter for maximum protection. We then purchased and delivered a large supply of cloth needed to manufacture 15,000 masks. Finally we and hired Francisca to help make those newly designed masks. Once finished, Operation Blessing will give those masks, along with food packs, to those to those who need them.
“It is nice knowing someone out there is being helped by the face mask I made!” said Francisca. “There are a lot of people who need help during these hard times and it is very fulfilling to know I am helping as well as being helped.”
With the money she earns Franscisca can help with her daughter’s tuition and she’ll be able to make sure her grandson stays healthy and well fed.
“Thank you so much for giving me a job. It is a blessing to be able to take care of my kids, and I wouldn’t been able to do it without your help!”
