LONDON: Ipoh-born Syebvonne Nguyen's tireless endeavour in volunteerism following the Covid-19 pandemic has placed her as among the five finalists for the Hello! Magazine Star Mum award.
The award honours mothers who have significantly contributed to the community despite their busy schedule.
In an interview over Zoom, Syebvonne, or Looi Ooi Teng, 41, expressed gratitude over the magazine's recognition of her hard work.
"I feel truly honoured to be selected by the judges and I am overwhelmed by their decision," said Syebvonne who had made London her home since 2014.
A mother of five, Syebvonne had produced more than 10,000 reusable fabric face masks for the community, people in healthcare, care homes and schoolchildren.
"I had never imagined the sewing lessons I've learned during Kemahiran Hidup (living skills) class back in school, would set me up for this purpose. I am now living in a community which 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," said the former student of SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh.
Syebvonne was nominated for the award by her friend Asma Said Khan, who said since March, the housewife took upon herself to make thousands of face masks other than delivering food, scrubs, hats and 3D-printed visors to frontliners and vulnerable groups.
Asma said Syebvonne also hung the reusable face masks on a tree in front of her driveway for the neighbours to pick and use.
"She inspired others to get involved and host their trees, bringing the community together with proceeds going towards underprivileged schoolchildren," Asma said.
The "mask tree" concept soon mushroomed all over London with the business community hosting them too.
Her "can-do" attitude, boundless enthusiasm and personal quest to involve and benefit the community, saw her zigzagging across London to deliver face masks, food and supplies during the lockdown.
"During 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.
Her front drive also became a spot where an old unused ambulance was used as a tuck shop with free snacks donated by the community and local shops.
Now, as the whole of the United Kingdom goes into a second lockdown, Syebvonne believes people are more prepared and had learnt from the lockdown in March.
She is now spending time churning out face masks for secondary schoolchildren as schools will remain open.
Syebvonne started storing and making plain face masks. Now, schoolchildren from four schools have received her masks.
With the help of volunteers, they have produced 30,000 masks; 10,000 were made from Syebvonne's domestic sewing machine, with the help of her 9-year-old Annabelle.
Syebvonne's tireless efforts had not gone unnoticed.
Time and Leisure Magazine have awarded Syebvonne a Community Hero Award and her volunteer work had been reported by the local newspapers and talked on the Martin Kemp show and BBC Surrey.
"I am proud that I am an 'Anak Malaysia' and I hope this can inspire others to do the same in the times of need. I believe when Malaysians see a need, they will do something to address it."
Readers can visit www.hellomagazine.com to vote for Syebvonne before Nov 9.