CUT . . . backstitch . . . edgestitch . . . tie . . . and again – all to protect the livelihood of Kouga residents.
A number of St Francis Bay residents are tirelessly working together, stitch-by-stitch, to help provide much-needed handmade masks to frontline workers fighting the Covid-19 virus pandemic.
Also on the list are the sickly, the elderly, children and all residents in need.
Avid seamstress, Nicole Kellett, first began making the colourful and washable masks after the first positive Covid-19 case was reported in South Africa on March 5, this year.
“My husband and I were glued to World News when all the trouble started in China, Italy, Spain and America,” says Kellett. “I was shocked at the lack of personal protective equipment in each country – especially the desperate pleas for masks.
“When the first suspected case of Covid-19 tested positive in South Africa, I got scared. If those big countries do not have enough masks, there is no way that we will even come close.”
Determined to help make a difference – no matter how small – Kellett researched handmade masks online and soon afterwards started to experiment with different patterns.
She says, “I contacted the local caregivers and clinics to see if they needed masks. And they all did.”
Not resting on her laurels, Kellett roped in the help of her sewing riends.
“From there, the word just spread,” she laughs. “We are now 23 ladies sewing frantically – all local girls who sew and want to help.
“Some of us have actually never met – everyone sews from home, using a pattern that they are comfortable with.”
To date, the enthusiastic sewers have made over 700 protective masks – ranging in pattern, material, colour and size.
According to Kellett, they have all used what fabric they had in their cupboards, including cut up sheets and duvet covers. “When we started running short, I put a message on the St Francis Facebook Page and was inundated with offers of fabric and linen. This community is absolutely amazing.”
Completed masks are given to Calibre, who take them to the Sea Vista Clinic where they are distributed among the elderly, the sickly and the children – and then to anyone else.
“Calibre have been extremely helpful as we are not allowed to drive around during lockdown. They collect and deliver for us,” says Kellett.
Masks have also been supplied to local caregivers and to the Kruisfontein Clinic in Humansdorp.
“It makes me feel like we have a purpose and in a time where you don’t have a lot of control of the situation, doing what you can do is helpful,” says Kellett.
For information, contact Kellett at 082 880 6262 or send an email to rkellett@mweb.co.za.
