
CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK22042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork and Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre iron and package the sanctuary masks orders in preparation for delivery at Cork Migrant Centre, Nano Nagle Place, Cork City.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
Media overview of SMI
SMI is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other
vulnerable peo


CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ working in The Cork Migrant Centre in the grounds of Nano Nagle Place, Cork City
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision cent

CMK 17052020REPRO FREE NO FEE
Residents living in Direct Provision Clonakilty Lodge pictured with Friends of Clonakilty and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI), a response to Covid-19, which sees women living in Direct Provision Centres sewing hygiene masks for distribution to people in the Centres, but also other vulnerable groups in the community has reason to celebrate.SMI which is a collaborative initiative between Better Together, and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place, Cork with the support of UCC (University of Sanctuary – UoS, Feminist Society, Failte Refugees society) has to date facilitated these women to make 5854 hygiene masks in just over 4 weeks. The seamstresses spread across 5 Direct Provision Centres in Cork (Clonakilty Lodge, Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Ashbourne House, Riverside Park Macroom and Drishane Castle) have worked tirelessly to ensure that every child, woman and man living at their centres and also those living in Glenvera and Davis Lane Apartments in Mallow, receives a package of 3 masks made of 100% cotton. At a time of the current gloom characteristic of the current crisis, these women in their own way have brought on a little sunshine with their style of fighting covid-19 in colour, love and care for the people.Among those who received their masks today are residents of Clonakilty Lodge who received 255 masks. The masks were delivered by Siobhan Allen, the Ministry Manager at the Nano Nagle Place, Cork, who has played a central role in procurement, supply and distribution of sewing supplies across the centres, as well as the picking up of finished masks from the different centres ready for packaging and distribution. To receive the masks were the residents themselves including the women who made the masks at the Centre, Tracey Mahlangu, Busi Matwali and Doria Sibana and Clonakilty Friends of Asylum Seekers, Rita O’Brien, Olive Walsh, Kitty Sisson and Dona Treya. Also prese

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK 17052020REPRO FREE NO FEE
Siobhan Allen of Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place speaking with Busie Matwali of Friends of Clonakilty who is a resident of Direct Provision Centre, Clonakilty Lodge. measuring fabric.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI), a response to Covid-19, which sees women living in Direct Provision Centres sewing hygiene masks for distribution to people in the Centres, but also other vulnerable groups in the community has reason to celebrate.SMI which is a collaborative initiative between Better Together, and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place, Cork with the support of UCC (University of Sanctuary – UoS, Feminist Society, Failte Refugees society) has to date facilitated these women to make 5854 hygiene masks in just over 4 weeks. The seamstresses spread across 5 Direct Provision Centres in Cork (Clonakilty Lodge, Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Ashbourne House, Riverside Park Macroom and Drishane Castle) have worked tirelessly to ensure that every child, woman and man living at their centres and also those living in Glenvera and Davis Lane Apartments in Mallow, receives a package of 3 masks made of 100% cotton. At a time of the current gloom characteristic of the current crisis, these women in their own way have brought on a little sunshine with their style of fighting covid-19 in colour, love and care for the people.Among those who received their masks today are residents of Clonakilty Lodge who received 255 masks. The masks were delivered by Siobhan Allen, the Ministry Manager at the Nano Nagle Place, Cork, who has played a central role in procurement, supply and distribution of sewing supplies across the centres, as well as the picking up of finished masks from the different centres ready for packaging and distribution. To receive the masks were the residents themselves including the women who made the masks at the Centre, Tracey Mahlangu, Busi Matwali and Doria Sibana and Clonakilty Friends of Asylum Seekers, Rita O’B


CMK29042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women make the initial deliver of masks to residents of Glenvera Direct Provision Centre, Cork City.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Nineteen women have come together to sew masks for families living in direct provision and other
vulnerable member of society. These women live in 6 direct provision centres around Cork and come
from different countries including Albania, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and India.
In charge of quality assurance is Charlotte Chargin of Charlotte and Jane fashion design in Kinsale.
consultant. Olga, one of the seamstresses living in Kinsale Accommodation Centre, who prior to Covid-
19 was operating her own sewing studio in Cork, is coordinating all the women involved in the project
and has prepared instruction videos as well as templates for all the women in the project. These
templates come in 3 different sizes to fit men, women and children aged 5-10. The templates provide
quality assurance by ensuring that all masks are of the same high standard, design and quality no matter
which woman sews the masks or which DP centre that they have been made.
A care leaflet has been provided alongside the hygiene masks outlining what the masks do, how to use,
care instructions and HSE guidelines. The leaflets highlight that the hygiene masks complement the
public health guidelines of frequent hand-washing with soap and water and social distancing.
An art competition was held to select two winners to design SMI’s logo and graphic illustration of mask in
use.

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce


CMK 17052020REPRO FREE NO FEE
Residents living in Direct Provision Clonakilty Lodge pictured with Friends of Clonakilty and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI), a response to Covid-19, which sees women living in Direct Provision Centres sewing hygiene masks for distribution to people in the Centres, but also other vulnerable groups in the community has reason to celebrate.SMI which is a collaborative initiative between Better Together, and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place, Cork with the support of UCC (University of Sanctuary – UoS, Feminist Society, Failte Refugees society) has to date facilitated these women to make 5854 hygiene masks in just over 4 weeks. The seamstresses spread across 5 Direct Provision Centres in Cork (Clonakilty Lodge, Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Ashbourne House, Riverside Park Macroom and Drishane Castle) have worked tirelessly to ensure that every child, woman and man living at their centres and also those living in Glenvera and Davis Lane Apartments in Mallow, receives a package of 3 masks made of 100% cotton. At a time of the current gloom characteristic of the current crisis, these women in their own way have brought on a little sunshine with their style of fighting covid-19 in colour, love and care for the people.Among those who received their masks today are residents of Clonakilty Lodge who received 255 masks. The masks were delivered by Siobhan Allen, the Ministry Manager at the Nano Nagle Place, Cork, who has played a central role in procurement, supply and distribution of sewing supplies across the centres, as well as the picking up of finished masks from the different centres ready for packaging and distribution. To receive the masks were the residents themselves including the women who made the masks at the Centre, Tracey Mahlangu, Busi Matwali and Doria Sibana and Clonakilty Friends of Asylum Seekers, Rita O’Brien, Olive Walsh, Kitty Sisson and Dona Treya. Also prese

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK20052020REPRO FREE NO FEE
Community Health Worker Michael O’Connor with Jack and Jill liaison Nurse, Éilín Ní Mhurchú pictured with their community donation of Sanctuary Masks.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI), a response to Covid-19, which sees women living in Direct Provision Centres sewing hygiene masks for distribution to people in the Centres, but also other vulnerable groups in the community has reason to celebrate.SMI which is a collaborative initiative between Better Together, and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place, Cork with the support of UCC (University of Sanctuary – UoS, Feminist Society, Failte Refugees society) has to date facilitated these women to make 5854 hygiene masks in just over 4 weeks. The seamstresses spread across 5 Direct Provision Centres in Cork (Clonakilty Lodge, Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Ashbourne House, Riverside Park Macroom and Drishane Castle) have worked tirelessly to ensure that every child, woman and man living at their centres and also those living in Glenvera and Davis Lane Apartments in Mallow, receives a package of 3 masks made of 100% cotton. At a time of the current gloom characteristic of the current crisis, these women in their own way have brought on a little sunshine with their style of fighting covid-19 in colour, love and care for the people.
Updates on SMI can be found on Facebook and Instagram at Sanctuary Mask Initiative & Twitter @Sanctuarymaskemail sanctuarymaskinitiative@gmail.com
Picture: Clare Keogh

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

CMK20052020REPRO FREE NO FEE
Community Health Worker Michael O’Connor pictured with their community donation of Sanctuary Masks.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI), a response to Covid-19, which sees women living in Direct Provision Centres sewing hygiene masks for distribution to people in the Centres, but also other vulnerable groups in the community has reason to celebrate.SMI which is a collaborative initiative between Better Together, and Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place, Cork with the support of UCC (University of Sanctuary – UoS, Feminist Society, Failte Refugees society) has to date facilitated these women to make 5854 hygiene masks in just over 4 weeks. The seamstresses spread across 5 Direct Provision Centres in Cork (Clonakilty Lodge, Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Ashbourne House, Riverside Park Macroom and Drishane Castle) have worked tirelessly to ensure that every child, woman and man living at their centres and also those living in Glenvera and Davis Lane Apartments in Mallow, receives a package of 3 masks made of 100% cotton. At a time of the current gloom characteristic of the current crisis, these women in their own way have brought on a little sunshine with their style of fighting covid-19 in colour, love and care for the people.
Updates on SMI can be found on Facebook and Instagram at Sanctuary Mask Initiative & Twitter @Sanctuarymaskemail sanctuarymaskinitiative@gmail.com
Picture: Clare Keogh

CMK09042020
REPRO FREE NO FEE
‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ women
Vera Stojanovic, BetterTogetherCork
Dr Naomi Masheti, Coordinator, Cork Migrant Centre
Head of Creative and Production, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’ Olga Voytenko, and her daughter Sofya Abashko, ‘Sanctuary Mask Initiative’
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision centres to help themselves and other vulnerable people living in the community, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. SMI is an initiative spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision, the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks. The masks are made using pure cotton and linin, which are breathable, non-irritant and do shrink.
The production of the masks is coordinated by Olga Voytenko, a seamstress and resident of Kinsale Rd Accommodation Centre, who has set up her own sewing and alteration business in the heart of Cork City. Each of the women involved in the project are themselves skilled seamstresses and are given a wage for their labour (in accordance with their rights to work status). Charlotte Cargin from Charlotte and Jane, a Kinsale based design label, is the fashion design consultant on this project.
Picture Clare Keogh
Further Information
Vera Stojanovic,
Coordinator,
BetterTogether
Mobile 087 442 46 97
Find us on Facebook at BetterTogetherCork
For more information visit our website at https://bettertogethercork.com
PRESS RELEASE and Further Information
The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is an initiative by women living in direct provision ce

