Compassion’s high thread count

The efforts of some Dubai residents ensure there are around 7,000 garments created for children in need

The clothes are handmade and go to children in need around the world. The combined efforts of individuals in Dubai’s communities have created around 7,000 children’s garments through a community group called Rags to Riches.

Established over four years ago by British Dubai resident Barbara Evans, it quickly gained momentum after a group was formed on social media. The group invited community members who could sew, help recycle fabrics and make garments for children.

Community members donated fabrics, bed linen, unwanted dress fabrics among many types of cloth, which were then used to make garments including dresses, washable nappies for babies, shirts and shorts for boys, and blankets, pencil cases, tote bags and string bags.

The donation also helped create sanitary kits for girls around the world. “[Many] have absolutely nothing. The kits include items that are made out of cotton and are 100 per cent natural, fully washable and reusable,” said Evans.

The diversity of Rags to Riches also takes into account the weather in the regions the clothes are sent to.

“I provide volunteers with patterns if they ask, while others make their own patterns,” said Evans. This helps the dresses acquire a variety of styles and colours.

The garments were shipped to 23 countries over four years, including the Philippines, Ethiopia, India, Africa, Kurdistan refugee camps and Syrian refugee camps in 2017.

Evans said the initiative does not accept monetary donations. “I was doing it on my own for two years when I felt I needed to open it up and offer a chance for others to participate.” The response was strong.

In 2017, a team of 20 women — both stay-at-home mums and working mothers — regularly contributed to the initiative by sewing garments at home. “The number of regular helpers has increased to 30 over the Christmas and New Year period — it’s nice to see so many people interested in helping,” said Evans.

This year, the group aims to begin their