Non-Profit initiative, UbuntuCare is also doing its bit to make sure that South Africans are curbing the Covid- 19 pandemic. They donated more than 300,000 cloth masks which have been distributed to vulnerable communities throughout the Western Cape.
Rural communities in the Cape Winelands, Overberg, West Coast, Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts, as well as those in Khayelitsha, Tygerberg, Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain have been among the beneficiaries of UbuntuCare masks.
The initiative started at the beginning of lockdown at which point only a handful of seamstresses from Elsies River, Grabouw and Philippi had been employed. The women received training on how to make cloth masks according to international specifications and within months, thanks to the support from retailers, funders and the public, more than 280 seamstresses are now involved in the project.
The initiative is a public-private partnership between The Health Foundation South Africa, Western Cape Government Department of Health through its WoW! (WesternCape on Wellness) programme, Infection Control Africa Network, clothing manufacturer Coconut Jazz, and Project Last Mile.
The project aims to manufacture over 400,000 by mid-January. Fiona Hoadley, UbuntuCare partner said many of these women barely generate enough income to survive under normal circumstances “The initiative has provided them with the income they need to take care of their families while working on something with public health and social purpose. To see the initiative grow and expand as it has within seven short months has simply been remarkable. I think the pandemic has created a much broader understanding and empathy for the needs of others,” said Hoadley.
Mitchell’s Plain seamstress Sandra Jones said all her work dried up during lockdown. After months of receiving no income, she didn’t know how she was going to feed her children, let alone keep her little business afloat. “Out of the blue, I received a call from Fiona to find out if I’d like to make masks for the initiative. Since then I’ve been able to provide additional sewing work for four other ladies – most of whom are grandmothers. The project has been such a blessing to us,” said Jones.
Lizette Cronje from Elsies Rivier had to put her events and catering business on hold over the last year due to Covid-19 and had to make a plan fast. “When I heard about the mask-making initiative, I shifted gears and quickly learnt how to sew masks and involved other women in Elsies who were also struggling to make ends meet. The 15 of us – mostly single moms and women close to retirement age – produce 4,500 masks a week. The opportunity has given each of us a renewed sense of purpose. It has meant the world to us and our families,” said Cronje.
Dr Frederick Marais, Deputy Director for WoW! said the dynamic partnership has enabled the Western Cape Government to respond rapidly to communities who are faced with Covid-19 challenges. “The response to Covid-19 requires collective actions, and our valued partners have made this possible. They have provided a lifeline to many living in vulnerable communities – both in terms of employment and through the distribution of masks,” added Marais.
Harry Grainger, CEO of The Health Foundation South Africa said UbuntuCare seamstresses are working round the clock to get enough masks out to those who desperately need them. “With additional sponsorship and mask sales, the network of seamstresses will be expanded to distribute even more masks and at the same time create more job opportunities.
With the purchase of every two-pack UbuntuCare mask, another will be donated to a community in need. All funds raised, whether through mask sales or financial donations, are channelled back into the project to ensure that all monies are used for the procurement of masks. The masks are available at Clicks and Dis-chem stores and can also be ordered online via www.ubuntucare.org.
