Closing the distance with creativity

“No matter how old you are, we are living in the same community and every one of us is important. Everybody can be somebody’s Everyday Heroes”

When it comes to gains and losses in life, it always depends on how we look at things. Even during a pandemic, if you are willing to do and see things from a different perspective, you can always find something that is worth appreciating and learning. Local social enterprises, Sew On Studio and Medmind Technology are living proof of that, using innovation and professional insights to transcend social distancing and close the distance in our hearts.

“In February, when the outbreak was most intense, we worked with Dr. K. Kwong and launched the HK Mask Project to produce reusable cloth masks. At the same time, we provided paper patterns (of cloth masks) for the public to download for free, with the aim of getting people around the world to use materials that can be easily found at home to make their own cloth masks,” says Winsome Lok, founder of Sew On Studio. Originally, Sew On Studio was focused on advocating eco-friendly fashion designs and also offered complimentary alteration services to the elderly. However, the pandemic drastically changed how Lok looked at social enterprises, life and human relationships.

“Bring hope through compassion”

“You know, when the outbreak first started, there was a serious shortage of face masks and the prices were exorbitant. Many of the elderly called us for help, telling us that they couldn’t even go out for grocery shopping. The biggest problem was that they did not know how to use the computers, and forget about downloading the paper patterns. The only way to help them was by delivering the cloth masks to their homes,” says Lok. With Lok’s initiative and the face masks, the elderly’s despair turned to hope.

The project received huge media coverage, and many people started to learn how to make the HK Mask and gave them to the needy elderly. “When we work together, all obstacles can be overcome. No matter how old you are, we are living in the same community and every one of us is important. Everybody can be somebody’s Everyday Heroes,” says Lok.

“Lighten up oneself and others”

The steps of making the HK Mask are very simple. First, prepare materials such as cotton fabrics, elastics, tape and wire. Then choose the suitable paper pattern size, cut and sew the cloths, clean and iron it before wearing it. And thanks to Dr. K. Kwong, the nano filter — the soul of the HK Mask — was also successfully developed. “There was a time I felt really frustrated, then Dr. Kwong said to me that ‘we are like candles. I lightened you up, and you then lighten up other people, and this beam of light can reach very far’,” recalls Lok.

Receiving the DBS Social Impact Prize was not only a great recognition to Lok, but it prompted her to be more determined to continue her work to support the elderly. In the face of adversity, Sew On Studio didn’t get lost; on the contrary, they are more clear about how to creatively make use of their professional knowledge to help more people in need.

“Insights from seniors are never out of date”

The elderly usually have their own lifestyle habits, but that could easily lead them to be disconnected and isolated from society. After addressing the shortage of masks, it’s time to use technology to reactivate their social lives under the restrictions of social distancing. “Mobile games are not just entertainment, and are not only for young people,” says Nathan Hui, founder and director of medical technology social enterprise, Medmind Technology.

「“During the pandemic, the elderly need to stay at home and can’t participate in the usual social activities and interest classes. NeuroGym is a mobile app offering them some entertainment as well as cognitive training,” says Hui. “During the research and development process, some of the elderly gave us a lot of valuable comments and suggestions, including how to design an elderly-friendly interface, how to enrich the content of the games and so on. The insights from the seniors are never out of date.”

In addition to the prize money, Hui thinks that the DBS Social Impact Prize benefited them most by boosting their exposure in the market. Social impact means bringing society and people positive influences, just like the missions of Sew On Studio and Medmind Technology. With just one stitch and one click, we are able to close the distance between our hearts during the pandemic and create the same sense of purpose together!