The world of Tzu Chi April 2020 (Vol.121)

O n March 25, volunteer Liong Pei Chin arrived at the Kluang Hospital to collect samples of protective clothing, only to discover the nurses bringing their own sewing machines from home for tailoring protective gear, including footwear covers, protective caps and other smaller components. However, the task of tailoring protective clothing was beyond the nurses’ capacity. Pei Chin readily offered to take over the tailoring errands from the nurses, as she was appalled to see them having to divide their attention between their frontline duties and doubling as “seamstresses”. Upon receiving supplies of raw materials, volunteers who are skilled in tailoring were roped in to devise a plan for manufacturing protective clothing. Volunteer Chee Kok Cheng even rallied the workers of his garment factory to share the workload. After the prototype had been approved by the hospital authorities, the volunteers promptly commenced work the following morning. The volunteers coordinated among themselves the tasks of measuring the dimensions, sketching the outline, trimming the fabric, hemming the seams, sewing and packaging the garments. Eight hours later, the first batch of 132 garments was completed and delivered to the hospital within 24 hours. The nurses were satisfied with the garments and expressed their intention to continue enlisting the assistance of the volunteers in producing another batch upon receiving their next supply of materials. Tailoring protective gear for medics [Photograph by Chong Yoon Ming] eature 2020 • 04 10