Lim explaining the sorting and inspection process volunteers do before the clothes are packed in boxes. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH and SHAARI CHEMAT /The Star
AFTER a few simple instructions and under the guidance of Nancy Lim Lean See, a group of women sort through piles of clothing donated by the Subang Jaya community.
These women volunteers were stationed at Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9 to sort out winterwear, blankets and other clothing sent to a donation drive to aid earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria.
The community project is a collaboration between Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng’s office and two mosques in Subang Jaya – Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9 and Masjid Al-Irsyad USJ 1 – with the support of local warehouse and logistics partners.
“We sort the clothing based on their condition and gender, plus look out for tears, elasticity, zippers and buttons,” said Lim, one of the volunteer supervisors.
“We also pack headscarves for women, socks and gloves.
“In fact, about 70% of the donated items are women’s clothing. Most of the winterwear are still in good condition.
“Anything that is not suitable, such as short-sleeved shirts or frayed clothes are set aside.
“We want to treat the earthquake victims with dignity and respect, and don’t want to give them rejected goods.
“These donated items also represent Malaysia, so they should be in good condition despite being pre-loved,” she added.
Clothes set aside will be given to local non-governmental organisations representing Orang Asli communities, migrant workers, Life Line Clothing Malaysia textile recycling company or sent to Red Shields Industries, a social enterprise that accepts pre-loved items.
The donation drive, which is now closed, received overwhelming response.
During the handover of contributions to Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Emir Salim Yuksel on Feb 11, Ng said over 20 tonnes of winter clothing, blankets, children’s diapers and food aid were donated by the public in three days.
She thanked donors, including those from outside Selangor, for their contributions and suggested that those who still had excess winterwear to send them to Red Shields Industries in Taman Perindustrian Subang.
Yuksel said items more urgently needed were blankets, winter tents, heaters and generators.
Lim, who personally made four car trips to send items donated by friends, said the next few days would be crucial to ensure the clothes were properly sorted, packed, labelled and delivered to those who needed them.
“We have about 10 volunteers per day, with a supervisor on hand to ensure stringent sorting.
“Most of our volunteers were recruited through word of mouth and live in either Subang Jaya or Bandar Sunway,” she said.
Lim is familiar with sorting clothes for charity, having worked on a flood relief project several years back.
The USJ 12 resident has been active in volunteer work and social activities since retiring two years ago, and finds it fulfilling to help the community, whether in a community garden or doing voluntary work.
Coincidentally during StarMetro’s visit to Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9, a number of volunteers comprised current and former teachers.
“This is a good initiative that brings people together.
“I decided to help out because I knew coordination and labour was required (in dealing with the donations),” said Margaret Soo, president of a private international school in Kuala Lumpur.
“I believe teachers are values-driven individuals and doing volunteer work is one way of expressing how we live our values,” she said.
The USJ 9 resident contributed a box of children’s jackets that had been left behind at her school’s lost-and-found counter.
“Every year we will send clothes left unclaimed at the lost-and-found counter to charity. When I found out about the drive, I sought permission from the school principal to channel clothes for this cause,” said Soo.
“In a way, this teaches children to be kind and to share what we can,” she added.
Rachel George believes that volunteering teaches children to give back to society, and having teachers do it is leadership by example.
“It also allows me to connect with like-minded people,” said the SMK Seafield teacher who personally donated blankets and quilts to the cause.
“I do other volunteer work as well, such as helping at soup kitchens,” she said.
The breast cancer survivor said volunteering was her way of keeping busy and giving back to society.
Lim explaining the sorting and inspection process volunteers do before the clothes are packed in boxes. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH and SHAARI CHEMAT /The Star
Ng (second from left) during a symbolic handover of donations to Yuksel (centre). With them are (from left) Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9 deputy chairman Datuk Nik Rosman Nik Daud, ABDA Aviation Sdn Bhd director Shahrulnizam Shaharudin and Masjid Al-Irsyad USJ 1 treasurer Danial Aliff Chan Abdullah. ABDA Aviation is the general sales agent for Turkish Cargo Malaysia, one of the partners involved in the donation drive.
The Subang Jaya community dropping off winter clothing and blankets at Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9.
