Gwanak-gu Women's Job Incubating 'Bombom' Produces and Sells Fabric Masks

'BbomBbom (1st Cohort)' Organic Cotton Mask Production and Sales in Women’s Job Incubating Startup Space... Ensuring Distribution to Those in Need Including Social Welfare Facilities, Nonprofits, and Individuals

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] ‘Bombom (1st generation)’, a group of five low-income vulnerable women residents within the women’s job incubating startup space in Gwanak-gu, is gaining attention for shining on the COVID-19 quarantine frontlines.

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) remodeled the basement storage of Sillim Women’s Classroom (64 Daehak-gil, Gwanak-gu) last year as part of a project to strengthen women’s economic capabilities for creating a women-friendly city, establishing the ‘Women’s Job Incubating Startup Space.’

The ‘Women’s Job Incubating Project’ provides workspace to low-income women who wish to find or start jobs but face difficulties in economic activities due to lack of job participation experience and vocational skills, supporting economic independence and startup activities through technical education and vocational training.

On January 28, the ‘Bombom (1st generation)’, composed of five low-income vulnerable women, moved in for the first time, producing and selling pouches, cup holders, dolls, eco-bags, and more in the startup space, continuing various activities to develop their entrepreneurial capabilities.

In particular, as demand for masks surged due to the spread of COVID-19 in the local community, many residents had difficulty purchasing masks. ‘Bombom’ attracted attention by directly producing organic cotton masks and prioritizing supply to places urgently needing masks, such as social welfare facilities.

The cotton masks produced by ‘Bombom’ use organic cotton and are products with refillable electrostatic filters, made and sold separately for children and adults.

Orders, which began mainly from social welfare facilities and non-profit organizations, have now expanded to individuals, and they are sweating daily to fulfill the overwhelming orders.

A ‘Bombom’ representative said, “It was heartbreaking to see people who really needed masks struggling to buy them due to the mask shortage, so we decided to make and sell masks ourselves to help even a little. Although we cannot produce a large quantity, we want to continuously make them to protect the safety and health of local residents and help relieve their anxiety.”

The district office is also actively promoting the organic cotton masks made by ‘Bombom’, striving to enable not only district office staff but many residents to purchase these ‘good masks.’

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “I heard that despite working overtime every day due to the overwhelming orders, laughter never stops at the site. I deeply thank the ‘Bombom’ members who make and provide masks directly for the safety and health of residents.”

He added, “In Gwanak-gu, beautiful activities such as good rent and good consumption are already taking place throughout the region to overcome COVID-19. Going forward, the public and government will work together to protect the local community from the COVID-19 crisis.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.