Community caring all stitched up at Thembalami

The Thembalami Care Centre held its sewing marathon on May 16.

Despite the centre's efforts, the residents could not reach the target of 1 000 pillowcases and 1 000 sheets.

Thembalami is run by the non-profit organisation Rand Aid Association. The centre looks after men and women who are physically and financially vulnerable.

On Saturday morning, residents from some of Rand Aid’s retirement villages, families of Thembalami residents and a number of caring Alexandra residents, arrived for the sewing marathon of making sheets and pillowcases.

Ms Elize Raath, of Thembalami, said the care centre had received lots of condemned linen from various hotel groups over the past two years.

“Although the linen had either a tear or mark on it, it was otherwise quite serviceable. The problem was that all the care centre's beds are single beds,” she said.

“Thembalami’s staff came up with the idea of holding a sewing marathon to resize the donated linen to fit single beds,” said Ms Raath.

“Although we did not reach our target, the event was a huge success. There was a wonderful sense of purpose to the day. The women arrived with their sewing machines and started setting up for the sewing,” said Ms Raath.

“In fact, Ms Moria Dowds from the Tarentaal Retirement Village, completed 30 sheets within the first hour,” said Ms Raath.

A number of prizes were donated and handed out on the day.

A floating trophy and medallion, sponsored by local businessman Mr Chris van der Merwe, were some of the prizes.

One of the prizes went to Ms Dikeleldi Nare, who finished 65 items. She was closely followed by Ms Sylvia Miyanbu, who completed 54 items.

Some residents are still sewing items at home and if you would like to help, contact Ms Elize Raath on 011 882-4434, 011 882-4728 or email eraath@randaid.co.za