AS many families begin the year by decluttering their homes, the Umhlanga Women’s Association (UWA) is encouraging residents to donate preloved items in support of its Green Goddess Project, an initiative that combines sustainability with community upliftment.

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The project operates from the Green Goddess Space at Park Square in Umhlanga, where donated items are collected, sorted and sold to raise funds for the association’s community programmes.

Donations include eastern and western clothing for all ages, as well as household items such as linen, blankets, towels, dishes and crockery.

“Our Green Goddess Project is about so much more than clothing,” said Praneetha Aniruth, founder and chairperson of the Umhlanga Women’s Association.

“Every item donated becomes a source of dignity, nourishment and opportunity. What may no longer serve you can quite literally change a life, feed a family or help a woman build a small business of her own.”

The organisation is also holding a Preloved and Brand New Clothing Sale at Park Square Umhlanga, outsideSPAR on Friday, January 30 from 11:00 until 17:00.

Funds generated through sales support the UWA Community Kitchen, which operates in Umhlanga and provides meals to hundreds of people every weekday. The kitchen is run by volunteers and supported by donors committed to addressing food insecurity in nearby underprivileged communities.

In addition to food relief, proceeds from the Green Goddess Project fund a range of outreach initiatives, including sanitary pad donation drives, mental health awareness campaigns, gender-based violence interventions, support for children’s hospitals and disaster relief efforts.

Items that do not sell are repurposed through the association’s “Business in a Bag” initiative, which allows women to purchase affordable bags of clothing to resell, creating income-generating opportunities and supporting household livelihoods.

The Green Goddess Project is managed by Sunitha Emrith, who oversees donations, volunteers and outreach efforts. The association is also calling on the public to volunteer their time to assist with sorting and pricing donated items.

Donations can be dropped off at the Green Goddess Space at Park Square every Monday and Friday from 10:00 to 13:00. Collection arrangements are available for those unable to deliver items.

For more information, or to donate or volunteer, contact Emrith on 079 916 5007 or email info@umhlangawa.co.za. Further details are available on UWA’s social media platforms and website.

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