For Malaysian schoolgirl, homework is sewing PPE gowns to help beat coronavirus
11 May, 2020
For a nine-year-old Malaysian schoolgirl, the new coronavirus was hard to fathom. But Nur Afia Qistina Zamzuri knew a very important factor for sure: It was dangerous.
Hence when she heard a community hospital was looking for folks to sew protective gear, she immediately volunteered.
"I felt bad, so I told my mum I needed to help," Nur Afia told Reuters at her residence in Kuala Pilah, a community in Malaysia's southwestern Negeri Sembilan status.
Nur Afia, who learned to sew at age five, can make four full personal protective equipment (PPE) gowns a evening, parking herself at a good sewing equipment between playtime and attending online classes while schools are closed amid a good country-wide lockdown.
Malaysia, which until mid-April had the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia, features reported a lot more than 6,600 infections, and more than 100 deaths. The united states imposed movements curbs to stem the virus outbreak on Mar 18, while some restrictions had been eased before this month.
Since early on March, Nur Afia has built 130 gowns for just two nearby hospitals.
Sixty more portions are along the way, though this month has been more challenging as Nur Afia, whose family group is Muslim, observes the Ramadan fasting month.
Still, fasting has not stopped her, and she sometimes starts sewing following the suhoor pre-dawn meal.
Nur Afia found an interest in sewing after watching her mother Hasnah Hud, a good tailor, making clothes in her home business.
As Nur Afia's skills improved, she get started earning her own money stitching together pillowcases and patching up torn dresses for the family's neighbours and family members.
Hasnah said her daughter became even more motivated after seeing photos of medical personnel wearing the gowns she had made.
"She explained 'Mum, I believe I have no assignment work therefore i want to sew extra'," Hasnah said.
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