Bags of bras pour in to help Gambian women
Bras destined for women living in poverty in Africa are pouring in by the hundred after an appeal by a Balderton woman.
Janice Holmes will be travelling to The Gambia later this year to measure women and fit them with bras to help protect them from sexual attacks.
Janice wants to make underwear accessible for all women and, after more than 15 years as a trained bra fitter, has set up her own business with that aim.
She started Janice Rose Lingerie is September last year to help those without access to professionally-fitted bras.
She visits care and nursing homes, residential complexes and breast cancer support groups, as well as offering private one-to-one fittings.
She has recently partnered with Newark-based charity New Life Gambia, and lingerie manufacturer Naturana, to collect unwanted bras to be given to Gambian woman and girls.
Janice said the response to her appeal, featured in the Advertiser a month ago, had been amazing.
She urged women to donate bras that were still in good condition, ready to be shipped out to The Gambia in August.
She has already been given almost 2,000.
“It has really taken off. I can’t believe it is going so well,” she said. “I would like to thank everyone who has already given. It will be a huge help.”
One of Janice’s Facebook posts about the appeal had more than 23,000 views, and she has had bras sent to her from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, and Ireland.
Her story has also been featured in the glossy women’s magazine Glamour.
In November, Janice and other volunteers will be going with New Life Gambia to distribute the underwear and see first-hand how such a simple item of clothing can make such a difference.
Women and girls without underwear are more likely to be a target for rape and sexual abuse because a lack of such items shows they live in poverty.
Sylvia Morgan, of New Life Gambia, said: “Decent underwear for the women and older girls is beyond their means.
“They will be thrilled to not only receive a bra, but one that actually fits them.”
“What an opportunity this will be to add some dignity to these lovely ladies.”
The bras that have already been donated have already been sorted in sizes, ready for easier distribution when they arrive.
Janice said that she had never set a target for the number of bras she wanted to collect, but the response had been so huge, and the need was so great, that if donations kept coming there was a possibility of sending a second container.
During November’s trip, Janice will be delivering educational talks as well as measuring, fitting and supplying the women with correctly-sized bras.
Her children, Victoria and Tom, will be among the group of volunteers going to help.
The Gambia is the smallest of the West African countries and New Life Gambia was set up to provide education and a future for children there, where average life expectancy is 54.
The charity has two school sites, a first aid room and a registered local nurse.
To give bras by Monday, July 29, contact Janice on janiceros elingerie@mail.com or drop them at the Advertiser offices.
