Sewing hope: Donation revives Galeshewe woman’s livelihood
THE LIFE of Lydia Maarman from Galeshewe is set to improve after she received a sewing and overlocker machine from a good Samaritan, Susan Swaartbooi.
Maarman, a trained seamstress and polio survivor who uses a wheelchair, lost her livelihood when her sewing machine broke down about a year ago. For many years, she had earned a living sewing curtains, making alterations, designing bags, creating seat covers, and sewing school uniforms.
Expressing her deep gratitude, Maarman noted that her inability to earn an income negatively affected seven people, including her five minor children, three of whom are foster children.
She explained that she began working from home after losing her job when the Ikageng Community Centre for the Disabled closed down.
"We were given machines so that we could work independently. I was very grateful for the opportunity and have never looked back,” she added.
The donation was made possible by the Association for People Living with Disability (APD). Swaartbooi, a committee member of the organisation, decided to donate her unused sewing machines after being inspired by a call for assistance from APD secretary Dorothy-Anne Howitson.
Swaartbooi explained that she purchased the machines three years ago with the dream of learning to sew. “However the machines were gathering dust at home and decided to respond to the plea from APD secretary Dorothy-Anne Howitson on social media to make a difference in someone’s life. It was then that I realised the real reason why I had purchased the machines in the first place,” she said.
Howitson reached out to her friends to support Maarman after learning about her situation. “I was impressed by her passion to serve her community and be economically active despite her disability. The donation served to restore her dignity and independence.
"Being paid for work that you do and helping people at the same time is the real wonder of helping each other and serving a common purpose," Howitson added.
