Berhampur: What was once a simple “Wall of Kindness“, has now transformed into a showroom encouraging people to donate unwanted clothes.
Started by Hinjili municipality in Ganjam district about four years ago, it has evolved into a 3R (reuse, reduce, recycle) centre popular as Poshak, where clothes are packaged and displayed like a showroom, allowing visitors to pick items that fits them and is of their choice. It has a trial room too.
“After collecting usable clothes from residents of Hinjili, we segregate them according to size and quality. They were washed, stitched if needed and packed after ironing before being placed on the racks,” said Jublee Charan Behera, executive officer, Hinjili municipality.
In the past four years, more than a thousand people, including local villagers and migrant workers, have benefited from the centre. Currently, Poshak has around 100 pairs of dresses, baby clothes, sarees and more, he added.
Behera said that the municipality has engaged a women’s self-help group (WSHG) member to wash, stitch, iron and pack the clothes. A dedicated vehicle collects old clothes from residents’ doorsteps twice a week.
Seeing its positive impact, Poshak has recently started accepting old books, utensils and other essentials helping students and families in need. The SHG members made some decorative household items from the discarded clothes. The centre is functioning in the true sense of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and aims to bring smiles to the people in need.