The First Shipments That Sewed a Movement
As we close out 2014, we look back with full hearts at what has been an unexpected, joyful beginning. Just a few months ago, Rags to Riches UAE was an idea — a belief that unused fabric could become something meaningful. Today, we are a growing circle of hands and hearts who’ve stitched dignity into every garment we’ve sent across the globe.
We didn’t have a formal plan. But we had purpose. And with every donation, every stitch, every box lovingly packed and shipped — we saw that purpose unfold in the lives of children and families far beyond our borders.
✈️ Where We Sent Love in 2014
🇮🇳 Pune & Delhi, India
— Golden Heart Foundation
This was one of our very first confirmed recipients. The Golden Heart Foundation works with vulnerable children and families, providing shelter, education, and medical care in areas where poverty is generational.
We sent soft dresses, shirts, leggings, and cloth bags — all handmade. We imagined the children opening those packages, holding something that was made just for them. We hope it brought a little colour, warmth, and self-worth into their day.
“They sent us photos of the children trying on their dresses. It was the first time many had owned something new — just for them.”
🇮🇳 Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
— Prema Samajam Trust
This remarkable home supports children who are blind, deaf, or living with physical and mental challenges. The founder’s handwritten note moved us deeply — reminding us why this work matters.
We sent garments with adjustable waistbands, soft seams, and bright, cheerful colours. We imagined the children feeling the textures, hearing the comforting sound of Velcro and snaps, and knowing someone far away cared enough to make something with their needs in mind.
🇯🇴 Jordan
Though the organisations name has been lost to time, the shipment to Jordan remains etched in our memories. It was our first outreach to the Middle East, where so many displaced children were living in temporary shelters due to ongoing conflict.
We packed warm clothes, soft toys, and drawstring bags. We hoped the small comforts inside would bring smiles or a sense of ownership in an otherwise unstable world.
“Some of the dolls had names. We tucked notes into their pockets. We hoped a child would find a friend in those stitches.”
🇳🇵 Nepal
Our outreach to Nepal was driven by compassion for remote communities facing harsh winters without adequate shelter or clothing. One of our volunteers had direct ties to a school in a rural village and carried the items by hand.
We packed fleece vests, scarves, thermal under layers, and soap pouches. In that mountain village, we hoped our warmth would travel through the fabric, even if we never met the children who wore it.
🇷🇴 Romania
Romania’s institutional care homes are often underfunded and forgotten. Through a friend of a friend, we connected with a program providing emotional and material support to children in group homes.
We sent thick fleece blankets, soft hats, and cheerful pyjamas. We hoped these items would bring both comfort and a sense of being remembered by the outside world.
“Every child deserves to sleep warm. We imagined them curled up under a blanket that was sewn with their name in our hearts.”
🇿🇦 South Africa
Our connection to South Africa came through Pam Marsh, one of our earliest volunteers. She visited townships in need of clothing, particularly for young girls who often go without essentials.
We sent floral cotton dresses, sun hats, and lightweight underwear. More than just clothing, these were gifts of freedom — for running, playing, dancing, and feeling like a child again.
🇰🇪 Kenya
A small village community in Kenya received one of our most heartfelt shipments. We had heard stories of children wrapping themselves in plastic bags at night to stay warm.
We packed fleece jackets, baby wraps, and handmade blankets. Though we didn’t have photos, we imagined a mother cradling her baby in a soft wrap that carried the prayers of women she would never meet.
🇬🇧 Isle of Lewis – Scotland
Even far north in the UK, there were people in need. Through a volunteer-led winter outreach program, we sent scarves, tote bags, and winter accessories to families living on the edge of poverty.
It reminded us that need has no borders. We were proud that our project could serve both near and far — wherever dignity needed stitching back in.
🇺🇬 Kampala, Uganda
Our very first donation to Uganda was sent as part of a needs assessment. Though small in size, it was a gesture of intent — a promise that we saw this community, and we hoped to do more in the years ahead.
🧺 What We Sent
| Handmade dresses, leggings, shorts, and tops | Blankets, vests, and hoodies |
| Knitted accessories: scarves, hats, soft toys | Underwear and hygiene pouches |
| Drawstring and tote bags for personal belongings | Dolls and play items crafted from fabric scraps |
Each item was sewn by hand using donated or repurposed materials — transformed into something new, beautiful, and useful and packaged with dignity in mind.
✨ How We Worked
Requests came in via email and word of mouth. Volunteers gathered weekly to sew, sort, and pack. There was no funding — only donated materials and willing hands. Shipments were funded by community generosity and delivered with heart.
💬 A Note From the R2R Team
We didn’t start with a plan. We started with a question: “What can we do with what we have?”
The answer turned out to be: More than we ever imagined.
As we step into 2015, we carry the same heart — and a growing community that believes fabric can become a force for good.
“We didn’t have a logo. We didn’t have a name. We had heart. And it was enough.”
💬 Share Your Memory
If you sewed, packed, shared, or delivered with us in 2014 — or if you received one of our gifts — we’d love to hear your memory. Every stitch had a story. Let’s preserve them together.
💛 From Rags to Riches to what will one day become Sew Bee-Cause — thank you for being there from the very beginning.
#2014inReview #RagsToRichesUAE #SewBeeCause #SewingForChange #HandmadeHope #SewEmpowered
