While thrift shopping has become a popular trend recently, an underprivileged woman has shared her embarrassment over accepting second-hand clothing distributed for free.
Skudai State Assembly Member (ADUN), Marina Ibrahim, took to her Facebook page to recount how she comforted the woman, explaining that accepting second-hand clothes is nothing to be ashamed of.
“I feel ashamed, YB, for taking used clothes. Even when I look through them, it is because I am looking for things for my children. I want to buy clothes for them, but I am strapped for cash at the moment,” the woman told the ADUN.
Overcoming childhood taunts
Having grown up wearing second-hand clothes and facing ridicule as a child because of it, Marina shared that she still shops at thrift stores today. She emphasised that she no longer considers what others might think of her wardrobe.
“I am not embarrassed. I grew up in used clothes, and even now, I still wear them. If I need a skirt, I sometimes go to Jalan Jalan Japan to look for items,” she said.
“In life, why should we care about how others will look at us? We should care about ourselves. We should be embarrassed with ourselves if we hold onto the concept of ‘let anything happen as long as I’m stylish‘, embarrassed at ourselves for placing importance on things we shouldn’t, despite knowing we’re struggling,” Marina added.
Nothing to be embarrassed by
The ADUN also noted that she offered advice to children who appeared embarrassed to be seen collecting used clothes with their parents. She urged them to realise that their parents are simply trying their best to provide happiness.
“Happiness comes in different forms. Some are happy when they get new things or when their parents take them to a shopping mall. However, if our parents can only afford to make us happy by taking us to find used items, why should we measure our worth based on the standards of others?”
Used for donors, new for recipients
Marina is part of an 11-year ongoing programme which allows people to donate their Raya clothing, that are still in good condition, to be given out for free to the underprivileged.
“These items are ‘used’ to those who donated them, but they are ‘new’ to those of us who receive them. So, why should we care what others think?”
At a shoplot located at 42, Jalan Besi 3, Taman Sri Putri Skudai, the programme starts from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
“We’re not selling. Everything is FREE. It’s a store concept because it’s organised. It’s a store concept because I want all recipients to understand that the used items are NEW to you. It’s a store concept because I want donors to know to donate items that are still beautiful to those in need,” she added.
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