Civically Speaking Direct to Podcast (typically rebroadcast from Saskatoon's CFCR 90.5 FM) An interview with Uyen Huynh on developing masks for community members and front line workers for COVID-19
- Author
- Lenore Swystun, Host, Civically Speaking on Saskatoon's Community Radio Station, CFCR.ca 90.5 FM
- Published
- Wed 03 Jun 2020
- Episode Link
- None
In this direct to podcast version of Civically Speaking I chat with Uyen Huynh, an Athena Leadership recipient recognized for her efforts in helping marginalized people back in her home country of Vietnam. Now, continuing with efforts, right from the onset of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, to sew and get masks out to front line workers and Saskatoon's most vulnerable - before masks became a thang.
Together with her mom, and former student, Vaishali, through hair design that Uyen taught for years, and a teenager who is helping them part-time, known as Sew-gether, they have created over 5000 masks in two months! - These masks are making their way to helping transit workers, grocery workers, northern residents and residents with no fixed address be safer. And many others who are asking for these masks with a donation to in turn fund the masks to those who have little to no resources of their own for such.
Uyen's Mom, as one of the 1980s refugees who came here by boat from Vietnam, saw this as an important call to action she had to move forward. She shared through Uyen, she wanted to give back to Canada what she so appreciated was given to her. Couple that with Uyen's call to help communities here in Canada and back in her country of origin together with the passion and work ethic demonstrated by her friend Vaishali and selfless teen helper - and they are making a big difference.
Tune in to hear about this journey and what they have in store as this pandemic continues to be something we live with ….and be sure to support community radio in the form of CFCR.ca and shows like this.
You can see the efforts of Sew-gether here, https://www.facebook.com/sewgether/
and order a mask of your own and do good by doing so.
Take care everyone.
Civically speaking,
Lenore
Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.
