Covid-19: Locals sew masks for Diepsloot residents

Local residents Jacky and Jenna du Plessis are working to help underprivileged Diepsloot residents receive face masks.

The mother-and-daughter team has sewn masks to assist people struggling to protect themselves from Covid-19 in the Diepsloot community. As a co-founder of Shumbashaba, Jacky is using her contacts at the organisation to assist community members in Diepsloot to receive face masks.

Shumbashaba, which is located in Diepsloot, incorporates nature and animals as a way of helping vulnerable children and adults develop self-worth, gain life skills and the sense of empowerment needed to help them build a hopeful future.

Jenna explained the inspiration behind her face masks. “My mom showed me a video of people making masks from old pillowcases. I thought that it was a nice project to get involved with during quarantine.”

She added, “If everyone is able to donate a little bit, it will go a long way to helping everyone in the community because we don’t want this virus to spread… Our healthcare system is already under strain, and it is important to protect one another, especially those who cannot afford private healthcare.”

Jacky said that Shumbashaba currently has 280 children on their register, amongst whom many are in dire circumstances.

“It is important that people without access gain access to these resources,” said Jacky. “It is also important that people in dire circumstances know that there are people who think of them.”

Heather Rufus, who assists with social media and marketing for Shumbashaba said that the project is usually funded through paying programmes and donations. She said that fortunately, some clients have continued to pay during lockdown and they have been given a number of donations to assist them in paying the bills.

The masks will be handed out to members of the Diepsloot community on 24 April.

Details: www.shumbashaba.co.za