This Malaysian girl is determined to fight coronavirus, one home-made PPE gown at a time
- Nur Afia Qistina Zamzuri can make four full gowns a day, between playtime and attending online classes while schools are closed
- Malaysia, which has reported more than 6,600 infections and more than 100 deaths, will continue partial lockdown until June 9
So when she heard a local hospital was looking for people to sew protective gear, she immediately volunteered.
“I felt bad, so I told my mum I wanted to help,” Nur Afia said at her home in Kuala Pilah, a town in Malaysia’s southwestern Negeri Sembilan state.
Nur Afia, who learned to sew at the age of five, can make four full personal protective equipment (PPE) gowns a day, parking herself at a sewing machine between playtime and attending online classes while schools are closed amid a nationwide lockdown.
Malaysia, which until mid-April had the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia, has reported more than 6,600 infections, including more than 100 deaths. The country imposed movement curbs to stem the virus outbreak on March 18, though some restrictions were eased earlier this month.
Since early March, Nur Afia has made 130 gowns for two nearby hospitals. There are 60 more pieces on the way, though this month has been more challenging as Nur Afia, whose family is Muslim, observes the Ramadan fasting month.
Still, fasting has not stopped her, and she often starts sewing after the suhoor pre-dawn meal.
Nur Afia picked up an interest in sewing after watching her mother Hasnah Hud, a tailor, making clothes in her home business.