Sharing her experience as a machinist of 19 years at a clothing factory in Salt River with the seniors in Tafelsig is empowering them to make their crafts.
Mina Sauls established the Searidge Senior Group and at the end of November, the club celebrated 10 years.
“After my career at the clothing factory ended I started my crèche with an aftercare facility at my home in Pyrenees Street in Tafelsig. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I had to close down my crèche and decided to help the seniors by starting the Searidge Senior Group,” she says.
The club consists of ten seniors and during the year they pay a monthly fee, which is their savings for the end-of-year party.
“When we have our Christmas party or outing I reimburse the members with the money they saved during the year, to spoil themselves.
“This is the same principle as taking out a savings book at any retail shop to do your Christmas shopping. In our case, you don’t shop but spoil yourself.
“Before I started the club I had to go for training to upskill from the department of social development and I do have my diplomas to show. With the seniors, we do arts and crafts and we have exhibitions in the Kilimanjaro Hall where they can sell their products for an extra income. As you know, the Sassa grant or disability grant does not cover everything and an extra income is always welcome,” Sauls says.
Before she started the club she was doing all the needlework for her neighbours in her street and the vicinity. She later realised that some have unused sewing machines as the owners had little or no clue on how to use the machine.
“I stepped in and started with my sewing classes where women learned how to shorten a jean, make their clothes and how use the sewing machine. Some of them are more into crafts and I combined both for the benefit of the community,” she says.
Next year, they will host a fundraiser to help with the needs of the community. Crafts and handwork include doorstops, handbags from plastic bags and baby clothing
- Contact Mina Sauls on 076 255 3085 for details.
