By Chisomo Phiri

Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi has launched an innovative initiative aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability through the reuse and modification of worn-out and damaged second-hand clothes.

The project, dubbed “Repair, Re-design, and Re-use,” is being piloted at Mikolongwe Vocational School in Chiradzulu, where students are learning to repair and repurpose old clothes into useful items such as moppers, bags, table mats, and doormats.

According to the school’s principal, Charles Salema, this initiative has the potential to significantly reduce textile waste in the country.

“By adopting this approach, we can conserve the environment and reduce the amount of waste generated from textiles,” he said.

Salema emphasized that the project is not only beneficial for the environment but also provides students with valuable skills in tailoring and entrepreneurship.

He said the project is expected to benefit the wider community, as the school plans to open its doors to the public to collect worn-out clothes and offer them a chance to be upgraded.

“The resulting products will either be sold or donated to hospitals, providing an additional source of income for the students,” said Salema.

One of the students benefiting from the project, Carlo Kafumbwe from Phalombe, expressed her gratitude for the skills she has gained.

“These skills will help me generate income when I return home,” she said.

DAPP Malawi is a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that has worked in Malawi since 1995.

It is  a national member of the Federation Humana People to People, a network of 30 organisations engaged in international solidarity, cooperation and development in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

The objective of DAPP Malawi is to promote social and economic development.

Through a variety of development models, DAPP complements the government’s effort in implementing the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.

The people engaged in the development initiatives of DAPP Malawi are trained and equipped with tools and knowledge enabling them to transform their dreams and wishes for a better life into practical actions.