When Itziar Benguria, association sales manager at the IFEMA in Marid, found herself with a little extra time on her hands due to the COVID-19 outbreak, she decided to get creative to help others.
“Last week, all IFEMA was on Easter holidays due to the inactivity at the Fairgrounds,” Benguria told AMI. “So I had plenty of time.”
“I have a sewing machine at home and even though I am not an expert, I started to make some handmade masks for my small family.”
“I really enjoyed doing my craft,” she added.
Benguria made creative face masks for her eight-year-old daughter, her husband and herself. But she didn’t stop there.
“I have a sister who is a family doctor and she said to me she would love to have some of my masks for her and the 12 doctors who work with her at the health centre.
“So I took all the scrap pieces of fabric I had at home but I did not have any elastic bands so I took my daughter’s, the ones she uses to play games with.
“I finally managed to make the masks and sent them by post to Bilbao, my hometown.”
[caption id="attachment_8608" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
Itziar sister and her colleagues wearing the masks Itziar made for them.[/caption]
Benguria reiterates that it’s the small things that make the difference, particularly as the masks were made “with lots of love for my sister and her colleagues.”
“She has been working very hard for the last five weeks and I think the masks will motivate her and the other colleagues.”
Do you have a silver linings story of your own? Whether you’ve discovered an innovative way of working, reached a personal milestone, or experienced a simple act of kindness that made your day – we want to hear about it. We want to hear how you getting through the current situation. So, please, get involved and send us your silver linings – and let’s get through this thing together.
Email us your stories, no matter how big or small. Or how silly. In fact, silly is good. Send an email to Holly Patrick.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
