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Original poster

Donating old bras to the 3rd world

52 replies

eedon · 07/10/2015 09:29

This is happening at work. Surely our old bras that are worn out should just be binned, giving them to people in developing world is a bit insulting. I'd rather donate some money that can go towards buying them a new bra, not some worn out tatty bras that people in the 1st world have given.

Seeing at the pound shop can sell bras at a profit, I doubt these old bras could be refurbished without it costing more to just buy new ones.

OP posts:
SlowlyGoingINSAINIA · 07/10/2015 10:27

I watched a clip about some women who had received donated bras, the women with large breasts were particularly happy- the bras helped relieve back pain and made their farming jobs easier.

Original poster
eedon · 07/10/2015 10:28

Oh maybe its just me, my "old" stuff is really old and would be insulting to give to anyone

OP posts:
Anastasie · 07/10/2015 10:36

Thanks for the link, have emailed them, not sure if they require breastfeeding bras or not.

Can't find anything in the UK in terms of donating nappies.

murphys · 07/10/2015 10:46

I often wonder how much of donated clothes actually gets to where they are supposed to. I am not just talking about bras but clothing generally. I live in Africa, but most definitely not in the poorest parts of our continent. We get a lot of 2nd hand clothing here, we even have a store than opens up in winter only which sells only winter coats that I am going to assume have been donated. It appears that they are from Europe as I recognised a lot of the name labels. The thing is, they are not donated on here, they are sold. You buy by weight and not per item. I suppose if you happen to find a pure wool coat it will be a bargain, but if its just a polyester one, then you could probably find one cheaper elsewhere new.

Also, the rag industry is very big here. A lot of clothing that comes in (I am not saying its from charities, but its coming from somewhere) is cut up and bagged up as rags for cleaning in the workplace. I sell these as part of my business and on the occasion I have kept a bag for myself, the labels are still on some parts of the cut up t-shirts (or whatever fabric rags you buy) and have been labels of Gap logos, Next etc. I do sometimes wonder if they are donated, and then if so, someone is making a quick buck from these goods.

There is the most terrible poverty in parts of Africa. My dh travels to those parts a lot for work. So, just so that I know that i have done my little bit and know that it gets to where it is meant to, on the flights that allow extra baggage (some flights you can take 2 x 20kg cases), then I pack up a whole suitcase with outgrown clothes, kids as well as adults that we no longer want, and dh hands them out to them when he gets there. We have been doing it for years now, and dh gets quite touched when he recognises one of dd's dresses that he remembers giving out years before, now being worn by yet another little girl.

So personally, I don't donate to charities collecting clothes, as I simply don't trust that they go to where they say they do. I am sure that some are, but how do you know what happens to the items as you bag them up and hand them over?

I do donate to a charity shop locally to us for rape victims. The things that they require are sanitary towels, new underwear, toiletries and that sort of thing. But I know that they are linked to the Rape Crisis Centre and they distribute these items where and when as needed.

101handbags · 07/10/2015 10:56

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10961849/The-secret-life-of-your-charity-shop-cast-offs.html

I wish this programme was still available online, perhaps it is somewhere. Very interesting programme which explained what happened to donated clothes once they arrive in Africa. They are sorted into 'grades' and as mentioned above, sold on by weight in bundles. Some go to shops, some to markets and some are carried on foot from village to village to be sold.

specialsubject · 07/10/2015 11:24

should make it clear I'm not complaining! I HAD far too many clothes, lifestyle change which is why most of them have gone. I have a couple of outfits for occasions, the rest is a backlog of practical stuff which should last me decades.

but I live in a safe and rich country and threads like this are a good reminder.

Lweji · 07/10/2015 11:46

It's not only bras. I have just given a bunch of boys clothes for someone to send to the Ukraine as the prices have sky rocketed.

Anastasie · 07/10/2015 11:54

Lweji, I don't suppose you can link, or PM me with details at all? obvs not if it is just a friend or something personal like that.

I would love to donate our nappies and some baby clothes etc

Lweji · 07/10/2015 12:02

Sorry, it was a personal contact, and not in the UK.
But it's possible that there are UK associations.

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 07/10/2015 12:17

I asked someone in my local Oxfam shop about donating bras (I was actually talking about ones in good condition, new or barely worn due to me changing size, which I thought they might still be able to sell) and he almost bit my arm off saying they didn't usually sell them but were desperate for ones to send to Africa, where they were much in demand. So I have just sorted out a bunch for him which I will drop in later.

As for the comments about donating money instead - well 1) given there is not enough donated money available yet for everyone to have enough food and reasonable healthcare, I seriously doubt there would be enough to get bras for everyone who wants them; and also 2) you can always donate bras and money too Grin

marriednotdead · 07/10/2015 12:45

Bras sold in the UK tend to be of much better quality than most and consequently are much sought after, even second hand. If you're not a standard 'high street' size (around 34-40DD) then chances are you will have spent more than a tenner for one and often far more than that. If you have a look on eBay, you'll see loads and I've sold many of mine that way as they are from brands that wear well.

I've also taken some to a third world country and found delighted and grateful recipients- having seen what limited scratchy nylon choices are available in the local stores, I totally understood.

For every bra that's worn until it falls apart, there are many more that are bought and then rarely worn, whether it be uncomfortable, your weight has changed or like any other garment, it's had it's time.

If you want a place to donate, Bravissimo collect bras for recycling.

sadwidow28 · 07/10/2015 13:05

I have donated bras for the past 4 years or so (and collect them from neighbours). My friend has a bra bin in her shop and I think we are up to bin No 9. They go to Lights for Learning and are used as packaging to safeguard school solar lights as they are transported - but then given out to the women.

The areas where they are needed is where:
(a) a woman cannot work unless she wears a bra;
(b) a new bra would cost a month's wages so only the richer, non-working women can afford them;
(c) second hand underwear is not allowed to be imported (so by using them as packaging it gets them into areas where Governments have this ban).

As well as allowing women to go to work, there is research indicating that bra-wearing women are less likely to be raped in these areas.

Anastasie · 07/10/2015 13:14

No worries Lweji, and thank you for replying in any case.

I will try Oxfam if there is a chance they might want them.

Also going to check out Bravissimo. Cheers gals Brew

helenahandbag · 07/10/2015 13:17

My bras cost an arm and a leg (34GG) so I only ever have two that I wear and wash on a rota. I wear them until they're beyond repair so I hardly think anyone would want them!

Mrsbird311 · 07/10/2015 13:22

The reason bras are needed in some of the 3rd world countries as if a woman or girl is wearing a bra it means that she is cared for by somebody so is less likely to be sexually abused or raped, They also accept cash so that they can provide knickers for these woman too. I think it's a great charity and have donated to it myself , a simple thing can make so much difference ,

Lasvegas · 07/10/2015 13:58

Does anyone know if I can donate teen bras

HazleNutt · 07/10/2015 14:39

I have had and BF 2 kids in 2 years, meaning that both my cup and back size has changed a lot. I now have bags full of barely worn nice bras in sizes I'm likely not going to use any more. Plenty of life left in them, not tatty and worn out.

Ilisten2thesoundofdrums · 07/10/2015 15:05

I just had a look at the smalls for all charity website and they have a Christmas appeal to send Pants to children in africa via Amazon website and they have a wish list here if anyone wanted to buy off it

cedricsneer · 07/10/2015 15:14

Am I alone in saying that I would have no issue whatsoever wearing a second hand bra? In fact I often buy barely worn ones in my outrageously large cup size on eBay. This seems like a total non-issue. Who would donate really tatty ones anyway?!

BikeRunSki · 07/10/2015 23:58

Thank you for your link listen. I have sent 2 packs of pants. I've been meaning to pick some up when I'm shopping, so that link is perfect.

JohnCusacksWife · 08/10/2015 00:16

Please check out the Smalls For All charity. It's a v small charity set up and run by the friend of a friend of mine and the underwear they collect. definitely goes to where it's needed. V worthwhile.

TiredButFineODFOJ · 08/10/2015 00:28

I was in Greece recently delivering aid to refugees. Actually you would be amazed at what people will donate. We had two bras in the whole of the ladies clothes donations, and they were both discoloured, tatty - bobbly and threads hanging off, plus they had serious padding/gel pads in. It was embarassing to offer them, many women wanted bras. No one wanted these two!
But yes plenty of women will have "nearly new" items which would be gratefully received.

sashh · 08/10/2015 05:00

Which is sad really, that they are having to abandon their traditional way of dress (exposed breasts).

Yes you often see that in offices in down town Johannesburg.

I sent some a few years ago, via someone who had been working in SA at an orphanage. I mentioned this to a student from SA who said, "You have no idea how much good you have done" I was saying I was a bit unsure anyone would want second hand (although good quality, I have a bit of a thing for underwear and had put on weight). She also said I should have given the matching pants - I was Shock but she said there are omen in SA who have never worn a bra.

Murphys

There is an organisation (not a charity) called 'angel of goodness' that regularly tries to collect in my area - I keep telling the people who leaflet I don't want the leaflet - the owners are millionaires.

They say clothes will go to the third world, they don't say they will be sold.

sadwidow28 · 08/10/2015 06:28

Lasvegas

Does anyone know if I can donate teen bras

Certainly my friend collects teen bras in her shop bra bin. Every size and colour is acceptable, also padded bras.

But NOT bras that are considered 'overtly sexy' (including those with gel enhancement).

Senpai · 08/10/2015 06:29

I would not give a used bra, but if the charities around here did something like that, I'd go and get a reasonably priced few from walmart (or asda) so they could have new ones.