‘Raise The Bra’ initiative donates bras to underprivileged women
“For the first time the girls were able to participate in sports when they received bras from us."
Bras are an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe and wearing a bra offers the following benefits:
- Support to breasts and shoulders.
- It helps improve posture.
- It offers comfort.
- It prevents sagging.
Wearing a bra can also boost confidence. Sadly, many girls who are living in poverty can’t afford to buy bras.
To alleviate the problem, the ‘Raise The Bra’ initiative, spearheaded by Plastic Surgeon Dr Deon Weyers, has been established.
The project collects bras that are no longer in use from Dr Weyers’ patients and members of the public, and then donates them to those in need.
The undergarments are collected at his practice, DW Skin & Body at Life Hospital, Fourways, and then distributed by the team from the ZABRA - an international volunteer network working with organisations looking after women in their care.
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“My team and I wanted to help, especially with the focus of Women’s Month. Many of my patients no longer fit into their underwear after they’ve had breast enhancements, enlargements or reductions, liposuction, and so forth. When we launched Raise the Bra in 2020 for International Women’s Month, we were inundated with donations and we look forward to seeing the response this year,” said Dr Deon Weyers.
Following the distribution, many girls have been helped. One of the teachers whose school benefited from the initiative said: “For the first time the girls were able to participate in sports when they received bras from us. We can’t keep up with supply for the girls in the schools, so your donations will make a big difference.”
Jeanette Kruger from ZABRA explains: “The bras will be distributed to high schools in Soweto, Alexandra, and other schools in Gauteng where we receive requests. They are very much needed at the schools, as one headteacher wrote to us.”
The initiative is calling on all those with bras they don’t use to donate.
Donations can be made at the collection point at Suite B22, Fourways Life Hospital, as well as the following alternative collection points: Cure Day Hospitals Wilgeheuwel, Cure Day Hospitals Fourways, Cure Day Hospitals Erasmuskloof, and Cure Day Hospitals Midstream.
Listen to Danny Painter as she talks to Dr Deon from ‘Raise The Bra’ in the podcast below about how the project has helped changed many lives and restore confidence in women.
READ: How to measure your bra size at home
Image courtesy of iStock/ @Mari Franz