A woman from Sumbal area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has sewed at least 2,000 face masks and distributed them among people for free of cost to prevent spread of COVID19.
Syeda Masarat Haider, who is also a social worker, says sheused her own money to buy the raw material to prepare the masks.
“I started sewing masks after I noticed there was a lot ofdearth of face masks in our area. After the pandemic broke, I myself looked fora mask, but couldn’t find one. Then I decided I will make masks on my own anddistribute them for free among the people here,” she told Greater Kashmir.
Syeda gets the material required for the masks from a clothshop which is in her vicinity.
By working round the clock, Syeda claims to have sewn anddistributed around 2000 face masks for the people of Sumbal.
Besides doing door to door distribution among the peopleliving in the area, Syeda has also distributed the masks in the local hospital.
Syeda says that it is her own way of fighting the COVID-19and to make the general public aware about the benefits of the wearing masks toavoid the present crisis.
“During the distribution of masks, I also try to make peopleunderstand the significance of wearing a face mask to contain Covid-19,” shesaid.
According to her, most of the people are still not wareabout the precautionary measures which need to be taken to contain the spreadof Coronavirus so they become the victim of the disease.
Besides receiving appreciation from the locals for thegesture, many organizations are reaching out to Syeda to prepare masks forthem.
“These days many organisations are calling me to sew facemasks for them. Two-days before one such organisation offered me the raw materialfor preparing masks for them,” Syeda said.
Not only did she agree to the offer, but she even providedthem the masks within just a single day.
“I am happy with my work. I will do this till the COVID19will not disappear completely. We do this as humanity demands it,” she said.
She gives credit to her family for doing the noble gesture.”It is their unwavering support which helps me to carry on the good work,” shesaid.
With her interest in social worker Syeda has helped thepeople of her area in the past also.
“During 2014 floods in our area, I tried to help the peoplein whatever, was possible for me. I did it as a goodwill gesture. But, then Ireceived an award for that from New Delhi. It felt good,” said Syeda.
Many volunteers are approaching the social workers thesedays to teach them making face-masks. “I have no hesitation in teaching them. Itry to teach them whatever, I know. After all we all want to achieve the samegoal of saving the human lives, “smiled Syeda.