Community learns how to make hand-sewn masks
A lack of face masks where Bafenyi Trust (BT) operates spurred Carlien Mulder at the School for Communication Studies at the North-West University to assist.
“I learnt that it’s extremely gratifying to put effort into something for the benefit of others”, says Carlien Mulder after implementing a sustainable communication plan for a non-governmental organisation in Ikageng.
A lack of face masks where Bafenyi Trust (BT) operates spurred this student at the School for Communication Studies at the North-West University to assist. Carlien Mulder is completing her honours degree in development communication and created and implemented a sustainable communication plan for BT. She also organised a workshop in hand-sewn masks, which was presented at the International Assemblies of God church in Ikageng on Saturday, 3 October.
“The target market was the teachers from the early childhood development (ECD) programmes of BT because they can provide these masks to the children in their classes. Not only teachers were invited to the workshop, community members who were interested in the project also took part,” says Carlien.
She adds that the overall goal was to provide community members with skills and reduce their dependency on buying masks. They could use the skill to make masks from old clothes or spare bits of material rather than pay money for it. “They can also teach other individuals around them or sell them to generate finances.”
Carlien says the plan and project could not have worked without the assistance of Marileen Theron, the executive director of Bafenyi. She also mentions Helena van der Westhuizen, a fashion designer from Potchefstroom, who presented the workshop and taught everyone step by step how to sew their masks. Carlien finally also thanked Louise Bezuidenhout, her lecturer, who guided her in the formulation and implementation of her communication plan.
“I have learnt a few skills in the process, like how to plan for an event and bring people together to achieve something great. I have also learnt how to make quick adjustments if something doesn’t go according to plan,” she says. According to the participants, who thoroughly enjoyed the gathering, the workshop was a great success.
