Seeing how the coronavirus continues to spread and disrupt our daily lives, clients who are part of the "Sunshine Sewing Team" decided to put their sewing expertise to good use and contribute to prevention efforts by making mask covers to the social workers and therapists of Sunshine Foundation who must carry out hospital and home visits, as well as to other burn survivors who must return to hospital for treatment.
Yan-tzu* is part of the "Sunshine Sewing Team," which is a sewing workshop that facilitates the transition of burn survivors and people with facial disfigurement from rehabilitation to active working life. After her burn injury, Yan-tzu had to undergo a long process of rehabilitation, but as her physical functions progressively improved, she became increasingly eager to return to work. She still has to wear pressure garments and her hands are still not as nimble as they used to be, but she enjoys being part of the sewing team: "This is about re-discovering the feeling of self-value through work, and it also helps forget the discomfort of burn scars for a while."
Yan-tzu and her team members came up with the idea of sewing mask covers for the staff and clients of Sunshine as a way to give back and help others. Although it wasn't easy at first and she struggled with the sewing machine, thanks to the guidance and encouragement of her Team Leader, she kept practicing and eventually was able to find her sewing pace. Yan-tzu says: "I feel very proud to be part of the sewing team and doing my part to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This is meaningful work!"
Yan-tzu and the members of the "Sunshine Sewing Team" are all burn survivors and people with facial disfigurement. At one point in their life, they relied on the help of others in order to get back on their feet. Now, they are able to pay it forward. Because you helped Yan-tzu, she is now able to contribute her skills to help others.
*Name modified
