Amman- “Textiles have become one of the most consumed products in the world. Today’s clothing consumption is 400% higher than just two decades ago. More than half of the textiles end up in landfills, where they are stored and then burned. Don’t buy clothes. ” From this fact, the young Farah Hurani and a group of young people introduced the idea of a project that guarantees “dignified shopping” for the citizens, “FabricAid” social enterprise.
In a personal effort, Farah Hurani, director of the Jordan branch of the “Fabric Aid” initiative, and a group of young people, in order to provide “dignified shopping” for people with limited income from “used clothing”, established a “Fabric Aid” social enterprise that works tirelessly. And they should buy decent clothes for their family in a way that protects their dignity and at the same time contributes to the preservation of the environment.
A fashion world that does not harm society or the environment
Hourani says it is a social organization, everyone works hard to protect their dignity for themselves and their families, and to ensure that the fashion world does not harm society or the environment.
As the largest used clothing university in the MENA region, FabricAid works to create and expand a socially and environmentally conscious value chain for the fashion world by improving the way used clothing is collected, sorted, reused and sold.
It does this through a series of socially conscious and sustainable brands that target different socio-economic groups, including marginalized and low-income groups.
Collection, sorting, and redistribution
According to Hourani, the work consists of 3 stages: collection, sorting and redistribution. Collected fabrics are distributed as follows:
Eighty percent of the clothes are shipped to “Suk al-Khaleng” in the Jabal al-Natif area of the Jordanian capital, Amman, where donated clothes, ranging from a quarter of Jordan, are sold to low-income communities at symbolic prices. From dinars to a maximum of two dinars (one dollar equals 72 piastars).
All parts are clean, flat and hung at Heather Market to ensure high quality and a dignified experience for the target community, equipped with changing rooms, mirrors and a sales representative.
Nominal price
Clothes are sold and not distributed for free, as free distribution will not enable the company to continue and expand as it has no revenue to help it expand its business and open permanent stores throughout the year, according to Hurani.
Also, selling clothes guarantees individuals the freedom to choose the things that suit them in all cases, while the distribution of donations can be a barrier to providing that customized and dignified experience at a nominal price.
Hourani revealed that they have so far been able to reach more than 6,000 beneficiaries and distribute more than 15,400 garments through Souk El Khaleng.
Heather Market
FabricAid is interested in providing high quality clothes for those who need them and can’t buy new ones through “Heathing Market”, where everyone can buy good and clean clothes at nominal price.
In addition to the positive social impact of the heather market, FabricAid reduces the amount of clothing produced and contributes to reducing environmental damage by recycling non-salable clothing so that it does not end up in landfills, where it often burns. The rest of the clothes that may not be in good condition or suitable for sale are also recycled to protect the environment.
Hourani explains that 6% of unique, old-fashioned and elegant clothes, which may not fit everyone, are shipped to the Second Base Store and sold for an average of 15 Jordanian dinars (about ড 21). The target group of stores is for those who are interested in old-fashioned, middle-class fashion.
Youth employment
According to the director of the enterprise, 100% of the second base profit is used to support FabricAid’s business, expand Heather’s market, recruit youth and support Jordan’s local community.
All of the store’s revenue is also refunded to cover the costs of making the company’s containers, assembling clothes, and paying employees, so that the company can expand and grow its business, and a third branch will soon open for the next heated market. April, as well as the second Okaz Bazaar, which will be for the sale and purchase of used clothes in the Tala ‘al-Ali area of Amman.
Promote goals across websites
Hourani said, “The organization’s goal is to provide a decent shopping experience in marginal areas so as to minimize the negative impact on the environment that often leads to waste and incineration, through our own websites and pages on social media.”
“We document multiple steps of our activities, starting with the collection of cloth donations, sorting them in warehouses, and distributing salable clothes in our various stores. We share our various plans for recycling damaged clothes in special and creative projects.”
Combine “fabric aid” with “isolation”
FabricAid officially merged with Tazila in 2021, a local venture created by Yasmin Halaseh. Together, according to Hurani, we have created a scholarship fund from FabricAid.
Regarding the reason for calling the initiative “isolation”, Hourani explains that the name “separation” comes from the word tajil, which we often use when we need to organize our property and get rid of what we don’t need. Legitimate for new beneficiaries, as well as Scholarship funds.
Donated garments are sold in temporary markets in remote areas and away from city centers, and 100% of the profits are used to provide scholarships for people interested in the garment industry, design or the like, from people in the same market. Area, and “FabricAid” provides job opportunities for these students at the institution after graduation.
All clothing donations raised through the consolidation are sold in rural areas, and according to Farah, all proceeds are directed toward funding in the scholarship program.
6 days a week
Donors can donate all kinds of supplies, from shoes and all kinds of bags to damaged and old clothes to new clothes, whatever their type.
“Our initiative continues throughout the year, 6 days a week,” Farah confirms, adding, “We have a Souk Okaz store, which will open in Amman next April. This store is independent of the grant cycle, and its visitors can buy their clothes Sells, and a market outreach is essential to support the continuity of the Heather Market and our organization and its various activities. “
Horani is proud and satisfied with what the “FabricAid” team has reached, saying: “Today, the FabricAid initiative employs more than 100 employees in Jordan and Lebanon, and a branch of the Foundation will open in Egypt on this day.”
