The charity BRAID is calling on Northern ladies to donate their old bras to benefit women affected by HIV in Africa. BRAID is a unique concept that allows women in the North East to help African women living with HIV to earn their own living and support their families. This campaign is being coordinated by second year Environmental Science student, Lauren Nursey, supported by the ESS Sustainability Team, through the Career Development Module.

BRAID starts in the UK by collecting second-hand bras. These garments are then shipped to Africa and divided between various HIV projects in Tanzania, where they are sold by the women for as much as £4 at local markets. In Africa the bra has a high street value as it is seen as a precious commodity.

The main aim of BRAID is to help the women generate capital from the sale of the bras to set up their own businesses. A recent example of this process was seen in the September 2011 trip where the money was used to set up chicken and goat projects. The capital generated through BRAID bought the animals, which produced eggs and milk, which was then sold.

The key to BRAID is empowerment through sustainability. These women and their families are being given the resources to help themselves for a number of years to come. BRAID also works with various orphanages to provide breakfast clubs for the children ensuring that they have at least one meal a day. This responsibility is also undertaken and championed by the women from the HIV projects.

So come on, bring out old bras and help support women in Africa to support themselves!

Donation bins will be rotating around Newcastle University buildings and the Student Union from May . Just put your donations in a tied up plastic bag and pop it in the donation bin. All plastic bags will also be recycled. To find out when they will be in your building visit the website:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/184106911705923/

Or join the campaign Twitter feed: @actioninternNCL #BRAIDdonations

For more details about the work BRAID does visit: http://lostevents.org/index.php?page=braid-project

Interested in helping out?? Or want more info?? Contact lauren.nursey@ncl.ac.uk