SINCE masks have become mandatory in public, Glenhills based NGO, Each One Reach1.org (EORO) is on a mission to equip the needy. The organisation is calling on community members with sewing machines to sew masks that can be donated and distributed to those in need, including matric learners returning to school.
“When we visited the SASSA office in Phoenix, we found that people were sitting in queues and they did not have masks. The social distancing is not being followed because there is not enough seating and shelter. So that’s the first place we would like to donate. After that we would like to donate masks to people waiting to be seen at clinics- people who are going in for their monthly appointments. If we start in May, we will be able to cover various clinics so that when people return the following month, they will have a mask to wear,” said EORO founder, Eshia Govender.
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“We are hoping each volunteer can sew about 50 masks per week, but if that would take up too much time, we are asking each volunteer to work toward 30 masks,” she added.
Mask distribution will depend on how many volunteers assist with sewing masks, said Govender.
“We found a pattern online. We tried sewing masks ourselves, but we don’t have sewing machines. Some senior citizens, who were concerned about other senior citizens waiting in queues volunteered to sew.
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There are five ladies already on board, but we would like to grow the team so we can increase the capacity we can cover,” she said.
EORO is also appealing to the community for fabric donations, particularly poly cotton or spandex fabric in gender neutral colours such as black or white.
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