Morag Roy, 52, Annandale, Qld I returned to my home country of Zimbabwe after 20 years away, determined to help the local community.
'Sexual abuse of young girls is rampant,' my friend Debbie told me. Debbie had lived in Zimbabwe since 1988 and took me through villages where many of the girls lived.
'What is your greatest need?' I asked Father Charles, a priest. 'Bras,' he replied. My husband, Colin, 52, looked as confused as me. 'A bra gives women prestige, it shows they have money,' he explained. 'Men are less likely to assault them.'
I was amazed a simple bra could have such an impact. 'Preferably black ones to blend with the skin,' he added.
Over the next few weeks, I met Sam, barely 12, who'd been sexually abused. 'It breaks my heart,' I said to Colin.
Returning home a month later, I told my colleague Corrie, 43, what I'd learnt. We had founded a course for sexual-assault victims in our local area a few years earlier. A victim herself, Corrie knew just how devastating the crime could be.
'We'll ask people to donate bras,' Corrie told me. 'We could at least get a few hundred,' I said.
Word spread and black bras flooded in. 'I'll keep this for someone special,' I promised a lady who donated a beautiful designer lace number.
A few months on, we went to the Townsville Women's Advisory Committee.
'We'll have a black-bra day,' the councillor, Helen, said.
Meanwhile, Corrie, six others and I started planning a trip to Zimbabwe. Six months later, we stuffed our suitcases with bras and flew out.
'This is wonderful,' Father Charles smiled when we arrived at the village laden with bras.
Women crowded around, then put the bras on over their clothes and strutted around. 'They certainly know what to do with them,' Corrie laughed.
I saw Sam, the girl I'd met on my last trip. 'You're all grown up,' I said, handing her the designer bra. She held the bra up and smiled.
A few weeks later we got a call from Helen in Townsville. 'We've got 2500 bras,' she announced. 'I don't believe it,' I said, stunned.
Today, eight months later, we've collected 5000 bras. In Australia we take a lot for granted, from the shirts on our backs down to our underwear. So why not make a difference for the less fortunate? (Left: The incredible young women of Zimbabwe. Right: Me - left, and Corrie with Father Charles) To make a donation, contact Morag Roy at cmroy@westnet.com.au. Follow the progress of Morag's bras campaign by visiting our forum here. |
