In our previous Dassault Systèmes Volunteer Series feature, we highlighted the “Bread Tag Upcycling Program” by our Malaysian colleagues to the efforts of Malaysian social enterprise, Hara Makers, in repurposing discarded plastic bread tags into useful household products, such as trays, picture frames and coat hangers.

Similarly, our Dassault Systèmes office in Thailand organises ‘green’ initiatives inspired by the company’s sustainability mission and shared value of “IF WE BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER”. In the third part of our Volunteer Series, we speak to Sattayaporn Manakasetthan from Dassault Systèmes No Magic office in Thailand, who organises regular collection drives of old clothes from friends and neighbours for donations to homeless shelters, the hill tribes, as well as for victims of natural disasters.

1. What made you choose the social cause of donating old clothes to charity?

In Thailand, educated young people with good jobs in the cities often discard perfectly good clothes to buy newer, more fashionable clothes. These old clothes often end up in landfills, many of which contain synthetic fibres that can take years to decompose. This can do serious harm to the planet.

Helping to donate or recycle old clothes is part of our civic duty to stop landfills from getting bigger and keep usable material from being incinerated and polluting the environment.

The pandemic in Thailand has put a heavy toll on lower-income families and homeless people. Donating clothes can go a long way in helping people and children in need, especially during times of crisis. Whereas if we throw away our clothes, they have no chance of reaching people who need them the most.

I work with The Mirror Foundation in Bangkok to collect second-hand clothes for its project “Sharing for Change” to be delivered to homeless shelters. I also work with Borderless Friendship Foundation (BFF) which helps hill tribe communities who live in remote locations in Northern Thailand. These hill tribes often don’t have the resources, or access to supplies, to properly prepare for the winter months. Donating clothes can help hill tribe children keep warm during winter months.

2. What inspired you to do volunteer work?

I find happiness in being a giver. Giving yields positive benefits to both my psychological and physical health. Psychologically, giving helps me to develop more meaningful connections with others. Physically, collecting used clothes, sorting them out and packing them is always a great workout!

3. What have you learned from your volunteer experiences?

I learned that one of the most important reasons to donate clothes is how many people it helps. It helps those who can’t afford new clothes, disaster victims, veterans, and even people with diseases. When I work with NGOs, I realise that the donated clothes not only helps low-income families and the homeless, but also helps NGOs to raise funds through thrift shops, which in turn helps a wide array of people.

I learned that one of the most important reasons to donate clothes is how many people it helps. It helps those who can’t afford new clothes, disaster victims, veterans, and even people with diseases. When I work with NGOs, I realise that the donated clothes not only helps low-income families and the homeless, but also helps NGOs to raise funds through thrift shops, which in turn helps a wide array of people.

Before I started donating clothes, there has been many times where I’ve been tempted to just toss out old clothes and never think twice about them. But when I started to organise these clothes donation drives, I shudder to think of all the clothing that just gets tossed away or trashed every single day when it would have made a huge difference to a person in need. Donating clothes made me treasure what I have and be less wasteful.

4. What is your advice to people looking to do more volunteer work?

With our busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. While volunteer works offers vital help to people in need, the benefits can be even greater for you as a volunteer. Volunteer work provides enormous benefits to one’s mental health. It keeps you mentally stimulated and provides a sense of purpose to your life. It trains you to develop your innate generosity and become more caring towards others.

Volunteering doesn’t have to take up a huge amount of time. Giving in simple ways, such as donating old clothes, can go a long way in helping the needy and improving your health and happiness.