Transforming Used Clothes into Warmth: Gurugram's Clothes Box Foundation Hits Milestone

In the heart of Gurugram, a vibrant spectacle unfolds at Gwal Pahari village—a kaleidoscope of colors emanating from fabrics with stories to tell. The brainchild behind this unique endeavor is 32-year-old Sajan Veerr Abrol, founder of the Clothes Box Foundation. With a humble start in 2013, the foundation has now evolved into a nationwide force, impacting over eight million lives.

A Humble Beginning with a Big Heart

The foundation's journey began when Sajan decided to clean out his wardrobe, leading to bags brimming with old clothes. Rather than discarding them, he envisioned distributing these items to the less fortunate in the neighborhood. What started as a personal mission soon gained traction as friends and family joined in, mixing and matching clothes to create pairs for distribution.

From Local Initiative to National Impact: The turning point came in 2015 when the Clothes Box Foundation was featured on the Star Plus series 'Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi.' The overwhelming response prompted Sajan to quit his job and dedicate himself fully to the foundation. Over the past decade, the foundation has become a beacon of upcycling, transforming retail landscapes and weaving hope for millions.

Weaving Hope for Millions

Sajan attributes the foundation's success to the inherent generosity of Indians. During crises like the floods in Jammu and Kashmir or the Nepal earthquake, people readily contributed. The foundation's adaptive approach shifted its focus from slums to lesser-known areas like construction sites and remote villages. Today, their reach extends beyond Gurugram to Kashmir, Eastern India, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Hyderabad.

Sustainable Impact

With an environmentally conscious approach, the Clothes Box Foundation emphasizes recycling. According to Sajan, each kilogram of recycled fabric saves up to 31 kilograms of CO2 equivalents. The foundation has repurposed an impressive 7,46,000 kilograms of clothes, saving over 23,126 tones of CO2 to date.

Fine-Tuned Donations

Listening to beneficiary feedback, the foundation tailors donations to suit the demographics of each area. Doorstep pickups are arranged across India, and upon reaching the Gurugram site, clothes undergo meticulous segregation. Noticing that a significant portion of donated clothes was unusable, Sajan initiated a recycling center on-site, where over 30 items, including school bags and blankets, are crafted by young girls and women from Gurugram.

A Journey of Learning and Impact

Sajan, acknowledging his initial cluelessness, highlights the learning curve of running such a venture without prior knowledge of upcycling. He emphasizes that experience is the best teacher and shares anecdotes of overcoming challenges, demonstrating the power of turning problems into opportunities.

In conclusion, Sajan's venture stands as a testament to the transformative impact of collective generosity, turning used clothes into a source of warmth and hope for those in need.

Reference:

www.thebetterindia.com