The goodwill shop was founded by the humanitarian association Pomozi.ba and represents a good example of reducing textile waste. The concept is based on the fact that a part of the donated clothes is sold at bazaars, and the generated income is directed to goodwill restaurants, where food is prepared for the socially disadvantaged.
Until now, nobody in Bosnia and Herzegovina has seriously dealt with the topic of textile waste. Problems arise when this waste ends up in wild landfills and begins the process of breaking down the chemical compounds in modern textiles, which can seriously affect wildlife and water sources.
Elvir Karalić, the founder of Pomozi.ba, says that following the example of large international humanitarian organizations, he decided to start the goodwill shop in our country.
“The shop works by selling donated clothes at symbolic prices at the bazaars, with the aim of making something useful out of the clothes gathering dust in closets. People who need clothes can come and take what they want, completely free of charge“, explains Karalić.
The Pomozi.ba Association undertakes to direct the collected money to the purchase of food, medicines, hygiene items, as well as construction materials for socially disadvantaged families.
“I must mention that the dignity of people, especially children, is extremely important to us. When they come to the store, they take the items from the shelves and don’t feel less valuable, but as if they went shopping,” says Karalić.
The concept of a soup kitchen with an emphasis on people’s dignity
All funds collected from the sale of clothes are directed to the “Meal for All” project, i.e. goodwill restaurants.
Karalić explains that it is about the concept of a soup kitchen, with an emphasis on people’s dignity. Restaurant users can sit in a nice environment and have a meal, without waiting in lines and carrying food in buckets.
“The idea is to collect money by selling donated clothes, which will then be used to prepare meals in goodwill restaurants. What we can say for sure is that we have helped thousands of people all over our country thanks to the Goodwill Action“, explains Elvir.
The first goodwill restaurant was opened in Travnik. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a second restaurant was opened in Bihać, which played a significant role in the distribution of meals for the socially disadvantaged. At the beginning of 2021, the third goodwill restaurant was opened in Sarajevo.
Restaurants are financed from various sources, such as food donations, humanitarian phone number, but also an important source of income are funds collected from the sale of clothing in the goodwill shop.
The restaurant in Travnik helps regardless of religion and nationality
Amir Fulurija is the coordinator of goodwill restaurant in Travnik, which has been in the catering business for 15 years. He says that his commercial restaurant was on that spot, which he decided to turn into a goodwill restaurant.
Users of this restaurant are characterized as persons in social need and must submit a certificate from the competent institution, so that they can come for a meal.
“In addition to those who come to the restaurant, we take a large part of the meals to addresses. Most often, these are elderly people, as well as people with disabilities, who are unable to come to the restaurant,” explains Fulurija.
Through work, they encounter different difficult life stories, and Fulurija remembered a sick girl from Zenica.
“When I met her, I cried all the way home. The girl was seriously ill, and they are in a very bad financial situation. Only when you start doing this work you realize how many people in this country need help and how many people are at risk,” he says.
Food is not served in buckets like in soup kitchens, but in disposable or multi-purpose bowls that users return. When delivering meals, they do not look at religious or national affiliation, but make a selection based only on who really needs help.
“We prepare different meals and try to make high-quality meals. What we wouldn’t eat, we don’t make for our users either. We prepare one meal every day, regardless of weekend days, which means that each user receives 365 meals a year,” adds Fulurija.
In addition to certain financial resources that come from collecting money from the goodwill shop, the restaurant is also financed by donations. They have no help from the government, and donations come exclusively from good people and socially responsible companies.
As part of this restaurant, there is also a small goodwill shop. Donated clothing is given to people who need it, but also sold. All funds collected are used to purchase food products for the restaurant.
Cheap quality clothes
Anisa Polutan, a former saleswoman at the goodwill shop in Sarajevo, says that during her work there was an increasing number of customers who were attracted by the fact that they could dress decently and nicely for little money.
The store currently operates according to the principle of organizing humanitarian bazaars once a month, usually every second Saturday of the month, where part of the collected clothes are sold.
The former store clerk explains that a large number of her acquaintances, friends, colleagues, and relatives shop at these bazaars.
“Prices are relatively low and everyone can find something for themselves and their taste,” says Anisa.
During the bazaar it is possible to find different brands of clothes and shoes, such as Zara, Stradivarius, Benneton, H&M, Terranova, Okaidi, C&A, Primark and others.
‘The clothes I donate are preserved, so that someone can really use them’
Amina Asotić from Sarajevo often donates clothes to the Goodwill Action in Sarajevo. She says that she is extremely glad to be able to help others in this way, and explains that we all have a lot of clothes that we don’t wear, which would be of great use to someone.
“I very often donate new clothes, as well as those that have been worn very briefly. What doesn’t work for me probably won’t work for someone else. So, I only donate clothes that have been preserved, so that someone can actually use them,” explains Amina.
Amina found out about this type of clothing donation through social media. She says that she really likes this idea and that’s why she decided to donate clothes in this way. She adds that it is inconceivable to her that someone would throw away clothes that can be used and that would help someone.
“I recommend everyone who is able to do the same, because you will feel fulfilled and happy. When you realize that you gave someone a piece of clothing that they always wanted but couldn’t afford, it can give you great mental satisfaction,” says Amina.
The concept of Goodwill Action can to a certain extent reduce textile waste, and at the same time help socially disadvantaged people.
It is important to raise awareness about such projects, because when citizens realize that donated clothes can provide someone with a meal or medicine, then this concept will certainly take root in our country. Old clothes are not trash and if we donate them, they can mean a lot to someone.
Author: Mirnes Bakija
