BAVINA SOOKDEO
Sewa International TT is inviting the public to participate in its Clothing Recycle and Food Pack Charity Drive, which aims to make a substantial positive impact on those in need.
Rooted in a decade-long commitment to national development and humanitarian causes, Sewa International TT champions effective organisation, community service, and environmental responsibility. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), the Clothing Recycle Drive, initiated in 2018, addresses environmental concerns while improving the lives of individuals and families.
Over the past three Clothing Recycle events, the NGO has helped over 4,500 families, distributing more than 70,000 clothing items. This year, the organisation aims to collect 30,000 clothing pieces and distribute them to 1,000 deserving families.
Its call to action includes donating clothing, sponsoring food packs, and volunteering for sorting, racking, and preparing clothing, as well as packaging and preparing food packs for distribution.
In an interview, Revan Teelucksingh, president of Sewa, explained the rationale behind the Clothing Recycle Drive.
“Our research showed that at least eight per cent of all items that go into the landfill are textiles.”
This includes not just cotton, but all clothing materials, often containing micro-plastics harmful to the environment and human health.
The initiative aims to repurpose clothing that would otherwise end up in landfills, giving it new life and reducing the need for new purchases.
“We encourage people that as soon as you get it, if it is something not conducive to you or can’t fit you, let us repurpose it one time,” emphasised Teelucksingh.
SewaTT’s goal for this year’s Clothing Recycle has a specific focus on professional wear and children's and baby clothes.
Teelucksingh highlighted the importance of these categories, saying, “A lot of young people just don’t have the wherewithal to have professional wear to go out into the workplace.”
The Food Pack Charity Drive has an average cost of $400 per pack. Teelucksingh expressed tremendous gratitude to supermarkets and distributors who play a crucial role in assisting SewaTT.
The process is not open to the public, owing to the overwhelming number of people, and individuals are selected based on recommendations from reputable organisations.
How are the recipients selected?
Teelucksingh said choosing families and individuals is a meticulous process that involves recommendations from various sources, including MPs, local councillors, NGOs and organisations dealing with issues such as domestic abuse and vulnerability. The process ensures those in genuine need receive the support.
“At the Divali Nagar, there is, like, a massive mall, where the clothes are laid out by category, size, type, and then we invite people to come and collect,” Teelucksingh said.
Teelucksingh stressed the transparency of SewaTT’s operations, saying the organisation is known for its robust process to ensure those who need support are the ones wh
