AS corporations and businesses donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to Sabah hospitals fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, a social enterprise is also marshalling its troops – migrants and members of underprivileged communities – to sew some of the much-needed gear.
The PPE suits are sewn by members of the B40 group and migrant communities at Dignity’s social enterprise arm, Sew X. It is an additional arm of the enterprise, which otherwise focuses on bulk mask orders pouring in since the pandemic started.
“Sew X is doing this despite having its hands full because we believe it is important to stand in solidarity with the communities that we serve.
“Many of our tailors are also from disadvantaged communities that have benefited much from others who gave a helping hand.
“We feel that this is one of the ways that we, too, can give back,” said Tan, Dignity’s head of transformational enterprises.
Sew X provides PPE to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, with its first batch set to arrive there next month.
“The hospital is also a hub for collecting PPE donations and caters to other hospitals throughout the state.
“Yesterday, the chief assistant director told us demand is still high.
“We are continuing our fundraising to make more than the current target of 2,000 sets,” Tan said.
Each set comprises two boot covers, one gown and one headgear that costs RM25, including materials and logistics.
Sew X has been working on the PPE project since the first movement- control order (MCO) was implemented in March. It has partnered with Biji-biji Initiatives to produce 3,700 PPE sets for 14 hospitals.
To date, Dignity has received donations to produce 1,270 sets of PPE suits.
Information on how to donate can be found on Dignity’s website (https://cutt.ly/dignity), and all contributions are tax deductible.
Article link: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/281282
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