Upskilling to survive the trying times of Covid-19
FAIRLAND – The process of learning a new skill that could support this unemployed graduate was enough to keep her motivated to master the art.
An unemployed graduate has turned to her old sewing machine to start earning an income.
Instead of waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to get better so her job prospects can improve, Fairland-based 22-year-old Loyiso Xorile turned her attention and energy to an old sewing machine to start earning an income. The unemployed, recent Wits University graduate, who has seen a significant drop in the number of job opportunities, has been making and selling government standard three-ply face masks to the general public over the last two months, which has been going extremely well. Xorile expressed, “I’ve been unemployed since I left Wits and I saw an opportunity to make some money making face masks and at least selling them to friends and family.”
The reality surpassed her expectations as those friends and family referred her to their connection of people and now she has a constant stream of orders to make masks for adults and children. For Xorile this isn’t her biggest achievement, the ability to commit to learning a new skill and using it to create the income is her ultimate reward. “I learnt all of this on the job, after a trillion mistakes but with patience, I eventually got it right and that’s what makes me proud.” Funny enough the sewing machine she now uses is one from her younger years when she wanted to be a fashion designer. Up until now, the machine had been gathering dust but now it is churning out all sorts of funky and formal mask designs.
The process of learning the new skill wasn’t an easy one as Xorile had to rely on the power of the internet to master this craft. With the assistance of YouTube videos, internet tutorials, online video call sessions with friends and family to learn new techniques, she finally got the hang of things. “I figured, what else I’m doing during the lockdown. I had enough time on my hands to try to learn, get over the mistakes and finally create my own income.”
She now sits with a product she is happy to sell due to the positive feedback given to her by her growing customer base.
Xorile reminds the public to obey all Covid-19 protocols and guidelines. She expressed, “Please make sure you have a mask when out of your home at all times, this literally saves so many lives. This same goes for sanitising, keep cleaning, and social distancing.”
She invites any member of the public to purchase her masks at R40 each including delivery. All Covid-19 protocols and guidelines will be observed in the making and delivering of masks.
Details: Loyiso Xorile 084 707 8543.
