Embrace eco-friendly textiles -DAPP

Local consumers have a pivotal role in protecting the ecosystems, according to Development Aid for People to People (DAPP).

This can be achieved through the DAPP Malawi’s Repair, Re-design and Re-use Project that is aimed at helping to improve environmental sustainability through designing products made from ecofriendly materials.

Products including door mats, moppers, laptop bags and travelling bags are said to be substitutes for factory made materials which pose a tremendous threat on the environment.

The remarks were made at the 34^th Malawi International Trade Fair in Blantyre under the theme ‘boosting Malawi’s export capacity through enhanced production.

Deborah Suleman, an instructor for the Humana Germany-funded Repair, Re-design and Re-use Project at DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational School said: “What happens is that we receive clothes from DAPP retail shops that have not been sold (pull-downs).”

Meanwhile, she highlighted the critical role which young women play in textile fashion designing saying DAPP Mikolongwe is currently training young mothers above the age of 18, the widowed or abandoned by their spouses as a means of empowering them financially.

Suleman said: “We encourage training school dropouts and young mothers in textile fashion designing with an aim of empowering them financially.”

Chris Nhlane, Senior promotions and communications officer at DAPP, stated that women make up the larger part of their customer base therefore the organization saw it fit to train some of them in the craft.

He said: “We expect the women who have been trained so far to be able to create jobs in their respective locations.”

These are part of complementary efforts towards the realization of the Malawi vision 2063 Enabler 5 (Human Capital Development) with focus on equipping women with knowledge and technical and vocational skills fit for the labour market.