Verwoerdpark resident looking out for others during the national lockdown
“I started by making masks for elderly people, offering them free masks. I posted on Facebook that should any elderly person need a mask for free to please contact me.
Liezlé Wiese took it upon herself to make masks free of charge for the elderly, but it did not stop there as she is now helping to make masks for essential workers like health workers, doctors and nurses.
Passion for town and people
Liezlé has been living in Verwoerdpark, in Alberton, for almost 25 years.
She is a collector of materials, which have helped her put them to good use.
“I started by making masks for elderly people, offering them free masks. I posted on Facebook that should any elderly person need a mask for free to please contact me.
“My daughters shared my post and it just snowballed from there. Doctors, health workers, nurses, businesses and ordinary people started contacting me, asking me to help make masks as there is a shortage,” she said.
She has been inundated with calls, messages and WhatsApp messages.
Making masks
“Our masks are made of polycotton material with a three-layer fold as per specs. The beauty of these masks is that they are washable and re-usable.”
Each mask gets sprayed with a sanitiser before packaging.
“At the moment, I have four friends that are helping as the need for masks is in such high demand. We are working 14 hours a day and each person makes approximately 50 masks a day.”
So far they have made over 2 000 masks.
According to her, they distribute to Pretoria and the East Rand and most people collect the masks from her house.
“It’s back-breaking work to make these masks, but we also know it’s an absolute necessity to carry on doing what we are doing. We are making a difference in these trying times we are living in at the moment,” Liezlé said.
Purpose of masks
“Some people ask, ‘but what is the purpose of these masks?’ and I want to tell you that the masks are there to prevent people from touching their face after their hands have been in contact with surfaces at shops and other possible infected areas. It keeps your own hands away from your nose and mouth if a mask is worn.”
She urged residents to wear their masks when going to shops and once back at home they should not only just wash their hands but also their masks as well.
“Its been such a turnaround in the last week as I see more and more people wearing their masks.”
Thank you
Thank you, Louise Muller, Liechen Muller, Ciara Wiese and Adri Maritz for helping. “Without you, this would not even be possible. We had to turn down massive orders as we are running out of material and elastic bands. If anyone would like to donate material and especially elastic bands that would be of great help.”
You can contact Liezlé on 079 807 1204 for more information.
Message of hope
Her message for the town and its people is to be safe and to stay at home.“You may contract the virus and recover from it, but if you are in contact with other people, someone else might get the virus and not recover from it. Think of our elderly and vulnerable people out there. Wear your mask, wash your hands, sanitise and stay at home. Be safe. Staying at home saves lives,” she concluded.
GALLERY:
