Give dignity, donate a handbag
Project aims to ‘restore dignity’
THE #100Handbags Campaign that strives to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate women, has taken flight.
Durban resident Sulosh Pillay and her team recently launched the give-back campaign.
They are collecting 100 new or used handbags that are in good condition and filled by the donor with essential items such as sanitary towels, soap and other toiletry essentials.
An added touch, said Pillay, would be for the donor to add a letter or note of encouragement to the recipient.
The motto driving the campaign is: “From one strong woman to another…”
“We want to bring joy and restore dignity to women who are going through trying times. We want to eventually expand this effort to bring happiness to children suffering from a life-threatening illness.”
She said the project was the brainchild of her friend, Ashika Singh, who wanted to honour her late mother by doing something positive for others.
“Ashika approached me and our foundation, The Act Foundation, to partner and take the project forward. She knew we were actively involved in community projects.”
The cancer survivor said she had spearheaded numerous women-empowerment projects in the country, including the Women in Rural Areas project and cancer screening, and this was another way to give back.
The bags, she said, would be distributed to women at abuse shelters during Women’s Month.
The community activist hails from Merebank and settled in Phoenix, where she chaired the Domestic Violence Helpline for several years.
“I worked closely with the founder, Ela Gandhi, and a team of volunteers. We manned a 24-hour telephonic service and offered in-house counselling for the abused.
“The women we encountered were vulnerable, but they felt they should remain in abusive relationships because they were financially dependent on their spouses or partners.
“The sheer desperation and torment these women endured drove me to look for opportunities to serve them and others like them.
“This included embarking on projects to up-skill them in the hope that they would find employment or set up home industries to earn an income and become independent.”
But for Pillay, the #100Handbags Campaign concept hit home in more ways than one.
“One item that is looked at as maybe a luxury to some, is actually an essential item for all women.
“While growing up, I used to see those who could not afford a handbag carry their items in plastic packets.
“Gogos going to clinics for their check-ups would use those plastic packets to put their medication in. Think of the joy they will have to receive these beautiful bags.
“Although it is a small initiative, it will create a sense of self-worth and self-confidence, thereby restoring dignity to our fellow sisters.”
For more information, call 083 365 1024 or 082 745 5867.