Woman gives back after Covid scare

When Rita Cottle, 64, was released from hospital after being on a ventilator for 91 days, she had an epiphany while recovering from Covid-19.

She decided to put her heart and soul into making gift bags of toiletries and treats to donate to the children of Philippi.

In July 2021, Ms Cottle, from Mitchell’s Plain, contracted Covid. She was released from hospital in October that year while still dependent on an oxygen machine.

Ms Cottle’s lung was only functioning at 33% and when she visited the hospital for a check up in July the lung was functioning at 55%. “It will hopefully increase at my next appointment in January next year,” she said.

Ms Cottle said when she was released from hospital she had to do everything from scratch. “I had to learn how to walk, talk and eat. I can now dress myself but I am still on an oxygen machine.”

She had been working as a social worker as the national manager for Early Childhood Development (ECD) at the Afrikaanse Christelike Vroue Vereniging (ACVV) before the pandemic.

Before Covid-19 hit the world, Ms Cottle had been travelling to places such as the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Holland and there she met many volunteers. “I hosted overseas volunteers at my place in Mitchell’s Plain before Covid.”

Ms Cottle said she is living in Eersterivier with her son Neil, daughter -in-law Wendy and grandchildren Mia and Lee until she fully recovers. “I am grateful for my children and my friend Trix Marais whom I gave the list of things I needed for the gift bags. But I packed the bags and placed the stickers on the bag myself.”

Ms Cottle said she advised those who suffered from Covid and who have still not fully recovered, to “not to give up and to have faith”.

She said it took her two weeks to cut out Christmas pictures to put on bags and she donated them to the children at Liefdespoort Educare, in Philippi, on Thursday December 1.

She said her cousin Elizabeth Laffey was making 190 gift bags and she was donating 100 gift bags filled with toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap, facecloth, and colouring books, for the children on Lekkerwater farm in Philippi.

Yvonne Stone, of Liefdespoort, Philippi, said she met Rita at Liefdespoort Educare where she used to work as a teacher’s assistant. “Rita is a very keen and honest person and wants everything on time or updated.”