By Iylia Marsya Iskandar
Syebvonne Nguyens dedication to lay a helping hand for the community saw her bouncing through London distributing food, scrubs and other essentials to front-liners and vulnerable groups, all the while still tuning in some time to sew, bag and œbloom a mask tree on her driveway.
Indeed, Syebvonne, a mother of five who rocks the cradle, responds to the needy and rule the world, yet still walks elegantly as one of the five finalists for the Hello! Magazine Star Mum award.
It is a no mean feat that Syebvonne deserves the nomination for the award which honours mothers, despite their busy schedule, still embraced empathy and remarkably contributed to the community.
Albeit this unprecedented pandemic, Syebvonne with the help of other volunteers, has already produced a total 30,000 reusable face masks of which 10,000 were made from Syebvonne’s very own sewing machine with the help of her 9-year-old daughter, Annabelle.
Her blooming mask tree blossomed on 13 June where Syebvonne hung reusable face masks on a tree at her driveway for her neighbours usage.
In an Interview with New Straits Times, she said: œMy intention is not just about the masks, but it is also the idea of the community spirit. I was hoping that there would be others who would host a tree near their area, and that will encourage people to talk to each other.
On the mask tree debut, many locals and neighbours stopped by to show their support and buy her handmade masks. Some opted for flashy ones for their children or grandchildren while others preferred the ultraviolet colour-changing, and others go for the glow-in-the dark.
Syebvonne aimed for versatile designs that would make the mask-wearing experience thrilling for all.
The former student of SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh said, œI have never imagined the sewing lessons I’ve learned during Kemahiran Hidup (Life skills) class back in school, would set me up for this purpose. I am now living in a community that can benefit from it.
And if I can use this platform to create awareness, people can pick up this idea and start it in their own (community) area.
At present, her immeasurable passion and enthusiasm for social responsibility bears fruit where the mask tree concept has mushroomed all over London with hosting from the business community as well.
Syebvonne walked through the steps of making her handmade face masks starting it by saying, œMy house is a big laundromat.
Her delicately crafted system includes precise hygiene to ensure that the recipients will obtain the most benefit.
Upon receiving donations of duvet covers and bed sheets, Syebvonne would leave them in the conservatory for a few days before putting them in the laundry at high temperature.
Then she would cut and sew the masks and put them in carefully chosen biodegradable sachets which have been colour coded for age and size.
These masks are never to be opened or touched again until they are displayed on tree. The same treatment is given to masks sewn by her volunteers.
She said: œI have a system that works ” on which day the materials arrived and who donated them.
So, it takes a while before I can bloom a tree, unless I am the one who has sewn it and I know that I have not been out, therefore I am clear (of any infection), and then I will put my masks out.
Syebvonne started funding her cause-related project from her very own pocket, by her Nyonya kuih-making venture, The Little Kueh Company.
In sustaining her precious mask tree, Syebvonne mentioned that donations are very much needed. However, despite the impact of the pandemic, people are still generous, and Syebvonne had so many heartwarming stories about people sparing in what little they have to help curb the infections.
As schools are still open in the face of the pandemic, Syebvonne is currently occupied with whipping face masks for secondary school children.
With her indefatigable efforts, Syebvonne has successfully donated handmade face masks to a total of four schools around London.
Nevertheless, Syebvonne who did not know the meaning of œenough, continued her journey of giving back to her community by running around London delivering the essentials to the needy and front-liners.
œDuring the pandemic, I felt there was a great need for healthcare and key workers to have proper hot food because they were working very long hours and had very little chance to get food unless they packed their food to work.
At that time supermarket queues were so long. So, with some friends, we baked, cooked and delivered them to some healthcare sectors and care homes, Syebvonne said.
As her community work is a household affair by including her children in the making of face masks and deliveries, her driveway has also been transformed into a tuck-shop with free snacks donated by the community and local shops.
Coming back to her roots, Syebvonne sprightly said, œI am proud that I am an Anak Malaysia and I hope this can inspire others to do the same in time of need. I believe when Malaysians see a need, they will do something to address it.
Currently residing in London, Syebvonne is a role model through and through for all Anak Malaysia. Syebvonne is more than an inspiration or a role model.
She confirms the possibility that everyone is able to achieve great things if they have the will and the drive to do it. She makes people think that œI can do great things too.
And with that, I wholeheartedly agree that Syebvonne deserves the nomination.
Syebvonne has been awarded a Community Hero Award by the Time and Leisure Magazine and her volunteer work was reported by local newspapers and talked on the Martin Kemp Show and BBC Surrey.***
Photo credit: Time and Leisure Magazine