PETALING JAYA: A fashion mask made by Komuniti Tukang Jahit Malaysia (KTJ) raised RM16,000 for charity, possibly creating a record for the most expensive face mask ever sold here.

Dubbed the Glam Mask, it sports sequins and beads and took several days to make, said KTJ CEO Yap Sue Yii.

The publicity-shy buyer only wanted to be known as Rabbit 63, she said.

“We took part in this initiative to help those who are in need, including social enterprises, during the Covid-19 pandemic through our participation in the Social Enterprise Sustainability Initiative (SESI), ” she said.

SESI is a collaboration between SocioBiz by the Alliance Islamic Bank, Citrine Capital, an impact investor, NGOhub as a charity partner, and the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), a government agency that supports creativity and innovation development in Malaysia.

“This initiative is a true reflection of our Malaysian spirit as it allowed us to forge meaningful partnerships to solve social issues.

“In this case, by infusing the elements of colour and glitter in the midst of a pandemic, KTJ managed to create the Glam Mask to help raise funds to support these worthwhile causes.

“By coming together, these partners have only one goal in mind – to provide aid to the communities in need, ” said Yap.

KTJ supports home-based tailors by providing them job opportunities so that they can earn an income.

However, the social enterprise that is reliant on making hand-sewn corporate gifts was badly hit in the early days of the pandemic when orders dried up.

“We already face many challenges in the gifts industry, where we have to compete with the big boys, and come up with quality products at price points that companies are comfortable with, while also helping the community at the same time, ” she said.

With about 50 tailors, KTJ is now adding more tailors to its network.

“At just two years old, KTJ is rather young, and we are still learning a lot of things. When Covid-19 arrived, a lot of things changed, and we had to figure out how to help our tailors who were stuck at home.

“It was a blessing in disguise at it forced us to reform our fundamentals overnight. If we don’t pivot in time, we die, ” said Yap.

“On the business side, people needed fabric masks quickly because at that time, three-ply masks were too expensive to be used daily.”

KTJ’s best-selling product now is the fabric face mask that uses the batik motif.

On the Glam Mask, Yap said it was an idea that came from one of KTJ’s beneficiaries, the SocioBiz, which was set up to crowdfund to help the disadvantaged earn a livelihood.

“KTJ wants to do more by supporting this campaign, and so we designed a mask with lots of glitter and shiny things.

“This is not a gimmick, but has a purpose behind it, with the most important being the impact it creates, ” said Yap.

PETALING JAYA, July 20 — It will be a little bit different for students this time around when schools eventually do reopen fully. 

Some students, especially those from underprivileged families, will find it a little harder to get used to the new normal in school, with new SOPs and safety requirements in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a bid to lighten the burden faced by less fortunate students, 7-Eleven Malaysia has started an initiative to donate essential items to keep them safe and protected while in school. 

In collaboration with its partner NGOhub, 7-Eleven is set to donate stationery sets and reusable batik face masks to charitable organisations and orphanages around the country.

7-Eleven Malaysia’s general manager of marketing Ronan Lee said in a press release that it is their duty to aid local communities around them, especially the youth, now more than ever. 

“It is part of our corporate values to assist the local communities that we serve and it is of paramount importance that our younger generations, especially those from less fortunate situations, are well equipped to face the changing situation as schools nationwide reopen in stages.

“We hope this contribution will go some way to alleviating any burden faced by the recipients in their pursuit of academic excellence.”

Among the recipients nclude Rumah Kasih, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Asnaf Raudhatul Jannah, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Asnaf Al Barakh, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ukhuwah Anak Yatim Miskin Daerah Sabak Bernam and Rumah Pengasih Warga Prihatin.

Lee added that this initiative has also helped out another underprivileged community, as the reusable face masks are tailored by a group of single mothers.

“We are pleased that our contribution economically benefited another disadvantaged segment of our community indirectly,” he said. 

“The reusable batik face masks are hand-tailored by housewives and single mothers from low-income households through a social enterprise Komuniti Tukang Jahit, that seeks to empower women, one household at a time.”

The recipients of 7-Eleven’s aid will also receive items such as new stationery as the children head back to school.

“We truly appreciate this much-needed donation as it will be very helpful to better protect our less fortunate children, aged between seven and 16,” said Rumah Kasih caretaker Sarah Ng.

“Ripples of joy are clearly reflected in the faces of the children when they received the stationery sets. In fact, they were very excited to return to school. So, to have these face masks available as well will certainly give them the protection they need.”

Zawalajam Mashod of Pertubuhan Rumah Kebajikan Asnaf Raudhatul Jannah echhoed Ng’s praise as he said that 7-Eleven was doing him a big favour with the contribution of the face masks. 

“This contribution helps lighten our load. These items will certainly come in handy for our kids when they return to school. 

“They spend a lot of time there, and we believe that with these face masks, they will learn the importance of hygiene and to practice social distancing at school.”

All schools nationwide, both primary and secondary, began welcoming all students in phases beginning July 15 with a strict set of SOPs and safety measures in place, with schools expected to fully reopen beginning July 22.

Bakti geng suri rumah

STATUS sebagai suri rumah bukan halangan buat empat ahli Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ) mengerah keringat menghasilkan alat pelindung muka untuk digunakan petugas kesihatan di barisan hadapan.

Berbekalkan kemahiran menjahit, mereka memanfaatkannya untuk mengambil tempahan yang secara tidak langsung menjana pendapatan bagi menyara keluarga.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif dan Pengasas Bersama KTJ, Yap Sue Yie berkata, projek penghasilan alat pelindung muka itu dijalankan dengan kerjasama Gerakan Wawasan Malaysia (GWM).

Menurutnya, sebanyak 1,000 alat pelindung muka dihasilkan dan sudah siap diagihkan kepada empat klinik sekitar Kajang dan Putrajaya, minggu lalu.

Katanya, ia termasuklah Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Chua Kajang, Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 9, Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 11, Klinik dan Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 18.

“Wang untuk membeli bahan membuat alat pelindung muka itu diperoleh daripada penyumbang dengan bantuan dua sukarelawan utama GWM iaitu Shafique Dassila dan Fong Kwok Khuen yang berusaha mencari dana.

“Menerusinya, kita dapat laksanakan projek ini dan ahli juga menerima upah daripada kerja yang mereka lakukan.

“Empat ahli terbabit jadi setiap seorang perlu menyiapkan 250 alat pelindung muka mengikut piawaian ditetapkan,” katanya ketika dihubungi Harian Metro.

Menurut Yap, latihan dan bimbingan bagi menghasilkan alat pelindung muka itu diberikan menerusi perkongsian di kumpulan WhatsApp saja berikutan pelaksanaan PKP.

Namun, katanya, pihaknya tetap melakukan pemantauan kualiti selain mendapatkan maklumat daripada hospital dengan bantuan sukarelawan GWM bagi memastikan alat pelindung muka dihasilkan mengambil kira aspek keselamatan.

“Kuantiti dihasilkan agak banyak jadi kita perlu teliti supaya ia benar-benar menepati ciri alat pelindung muka dan paling penting selamat digunakan.

“Setakat ini, semuanya berjalan lancar dan KTJ bertuah mempunyai seorang ahli yang juga bekerja sebagai pemandu Grab.

“Jadi, dia diupah untuk menghantar bahan pembuatan kepada tukang jahit dan mengambilnya selepas siap. Apa yang penting, inisiatif ini membolehkan KTJ membantu ahli untuk tetap terus bekerja dari rumah walaupun ketika PKP,” katanya.

Sementara itu, ibu empat anak ,Azlina Mohd Yusop, 39, mengakui seronok kerana diberi peluang turut serta dalam pembuatan alat pelindung muka itu.

“Mulanya rasa susah tetapi rupanya mudah saja dan saya mengambil masa tiga hari saja untuk menyiapkannya.

“Seronok kerana dapat menggunakan kemahiran menghasilkan alat yang boleh digunakan petugas kesihatan barisan hadapan sekalipun tidak dapat menyumbang tenaga yang banyak seperti mereka,” katanya yang menetap di Kampung Sungai Sekamat, Kajang.