10/02/2023
Dear friends, there are various appeals, by many individuals going around to help the Syrian and Turkish earthquake victims. This is truly laudable. We Maltese have huge hearts.
Some were asking for "old" clothes. If you have to donate, please give new or near-new items, because you have no idea what we find when we open bags full of clothes to sort out.
This is from years and years of experience in this field. Please donate, NEW or near new, clothes or give cash to the official channels, if possible. If you are unable to do so, please pass or give food, or other items you can afford. Nothing is better than rubbish. I don't mean this in an offensive way, but read on.
Case in point: SOS albania in the '90's. We volunteers open the next bag full of clothes, ready to sort. First of all, the stench that came out of it, was unbearable. But surprise of surprises, we found a pair of trousers coming from... get ready, for it... The Boer War! Luckily we removed the buttons on the fly, I said, "They could be worth something"! Would you believe it? These buttons were fortunately put into an auction and went for a handsome amount of money, which was in turn used to pay for logistics. I can never forget the smell of those pants though. 😆 🤣
In conclusion: please, no old stuff. Let's respect the dignity of these unfortunate people. These victims lost everything, so let's join hands in doing this, together and help out the proper way.
Thank you!
