According to innovators Arash and Kelly, the Lord of the Flies designer fly swat – now available for pre-order – is a philosophical take on the decision to kill a fly or to let it live.

It is certainly a striking piece of artwork. Sculpted out of flexible polypropylene plastic, the Lord of the Flies swat was inspired by the image of the hand of Fatima, used to ward evil away from the home – an appropriate enough sentiment, given how annoying a housefly can be.

This hand, however, is decorated by the intricate henna designs of Mehndi, applied during certain Hindu celebrations such as weddings and Diwali – a message of peace if there ever was one.

Helping hand

What there can be no argument about is the goodwill behind the hand. Any profits made from the sale of the fly swats will be invested to establish a new women’s co-operative in Morocco to produce 100% organic Argan oil, a mineral rich substance used in couscous and for dipping bread. Cosmetics companies also use Argan oil to make skin and hand creams.

Arash and Kelly are working with 12 local women to help them set up their business and – crucially – to help them tap directly into export markets to boost their income.

“Our vision for the cooperative is to become a profitable business,” Arash told us, “All the profit to be reinvested within the community to protect the Argan forests, to create jobs and to provide training for the community. These co-operatives are a life line for women seeking refuge for whatever reason, having been abandoned by family and with nowhere else to go.”

Find out more about the Lord of the Flies swat here

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