COLLECTIONS
Australia New Zealand Singapore DISTRIBUTIONS Fiji Tonga Bali Solomon Islands Cook Islands Vanuatu Philippines Sri Lanka Cambodia Kashmir Papua New Guinea New Zealand Australia |
Uplift Project is ceasing Australian operations.
Support the Girls accepts Australian donations of bras or funding. New Zealand operations are continuing at www.projectuplift.org.nz Singapore branch closed in 2020. International postal addresses for donations are listed on the Donate Bras page. Australian bra drop off points were closed in early 2020 in keeping with the Covid-19 restrictions. Due to such a long break we've decided not to reopen the drop off points. After 16 years the Uplift Project is winding down operations in Australia. There are still some containers to move when shipping services return to post-pandemic normal, then operations will cease. Our heartfelt gratitude to all our donors and supporters over the years. |
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A bra distribution day - Tonga 2008
A bra distribution day - Tonga 2008
Why Bras?
"In the Solomon Islands it is quite difficult to access a comfortable bra. Some of the second hand shops sell bras but mostly women have to buy their bras from the Chinese Trade Stores. These bras have some problems; they come in smaller sizes, are made of nylon and perish quickly in tropical conditions. You cannot buy maternity bras or mastectomy bras in country. For the women to be given free bras is an unbelievable experience for all of them. Women feel a tremendous obligation to meet the needs of their families, and so for any woman in the village to spend money buying a bra for herself can almost be seen as an unforgivable sin. The priority for women's spending is food and education needs of children."
— Rose Wale, 2012, Report of Bra Distribution, Solomon Islands.
The situation described above is common in many countries. Women appreciate the common dignity of a bra for business or social occasions. Bras control breast swing when women bend to garden or cook at ground level. In humid climates rashes, fungal infections and abscesses occur between the breast and the chest wall. Bras help by allowing air circulation. Nursing mums everywhere leak, and bras allow the dignity of a dry shirt, and the comfort of support. A thrush rash on a mother's skin may spread to her baby's mouth, and then back into the breast itself. A mastectomy bra offers privacy about the problem.
Since 2005 Uplift Project has sent over two million bras wherever women have requested them. Our work has been assisted over the years by our major sponsor Intimo and the involvement of a wide range of business and community groups. Uplift tries to ensure that bras get to the women who need them without compromising their dignity. We have sent bras to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Bali, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Uganda and Pakistan, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley regions in Australia.
Uplift Project Ltd became a registered charity on 22/4/2015 and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible for Australian tax payers. See our ACNC registration at www.acnc.gov.au
Uplift sends bras only where they are requested. We ship only in biodegradable packaging, and aim not to compete with local businesses.
We supply to import duty exempt organisations for distribution and fitting. Uplift does not supply to individuals. Please see the "Receive Bras" page for more information.
Often the bra received through Uplift will be the only bra that woman owns.
What Do We Want?
Size 8-16, AA-DD cup ( 30-38 / 65-85 ) in good condition, including crop top styles.
Size 18+, A-DD cup ( 40+ / 90+ )
E cup plus, ANY size Likely to be the only properly fitting bras that a woman gets in her life.
Nursing bras including crop tops, ANY condition will do. If it will catch a leak it is better than nothing, which is the alternative. Reuseable nursing pads are also appreciated.
Mastectomy Bras and Breast Forms (prostheses) Like gold. If possible please send the box with the breast form/prosthesis, and put the relevant bras under the plastic mould, in the bottom of the box. These will be given to hospitals for distribution. If sending bras only, without breast forms/prostheses, please put a note in the bag/postpack so we don't miss-sort them.
Swimwear, any size. Swimwear is great for keeping warm if you are standing in the water fishing with a hand line for a couple of hours. It is also handy for coastal women who dive for cash crops.
Underpants, new. In some places a girl without underpants does not go to school during her period.
Fabric Nappies, second hand or new. In some areas, fabric nappies are expensive to buy so mums often buy one disposable at a time. That money is better spent on food for Mum. (Nappies at drop off points in Victoria and NSW only please).
Please no bodysuits, torsolettes, shapewear, U-bras or bedroom lingerie (though we do love the giggle - we don't send them).
For small personal donations, drop off to our listed locations, or post to the listed addresses. See the "Donate Bras" page for locations.
If you are planning a collection/bra drive please see the "Want to Help?" page.
You do not have to sort the bras from a collection/bra drive, we will sort when preparing a shipment. However, if you do choose to sort, please read the "Bra Sorting Instructions".
There are other groups around the world that share our common interest. Recycling bras in the USA or UK? Visit these websites for more details
| UK |
www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/recycling/bra-recycling |
| US |
www.brarecycling.com freethegirls.org |
P.S. Are you interested in stopping Human Trafficking?
http://www.stopthetraffik.org
Uplift Project Ltd ABN 12 603 272 877
Uplift Project Ltd is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission ABN 12 603 272 877
View the ACNC Registration
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