2 Chelmsford High Seniors Start Clothes For Colombia Charity

CHELMSFORD, MA — Two Chelmsford High School seniors are doing their part to help people in Colombia whom they say lack the bare necessities.

This past summer, Isabella Madrid and Haniya Rizwan started Clothes for Colombia, a charity set up to collect and distribute summer clothes to people in Bucaramanga, Colombia, where Madrid has relatives.

Madrid said that when her family visits the region they bring a suitcase of gently worn clothing, shoes and toys from the U.S. and distribute the items to locals.

Madrid and Rizwan decided to expand the operation and begin collecting clothing and shipping it to South America on a regular basis. The charity also is accepting funding to help with the shipments.

Rizwan said the goal is to send clothing to Colombia at least once a month, if not more often.

"Now more than ever overconsumption has become popular and I think it's important to consider that there are people out there who don't even have the bare necessities," Rizwan, who previously collected shoes for people locally, told Patch.

Rizwan continued: "So, knowing all of that it's very rewarding to see how our community has come together so far to help. This cause is bigger than us and it feels really good to be able to make an impact."

Madrid said that while many clothing drives collect winter clothes, Colombia's warm climate means locals are looking for summer clothing. The charity has asked for light sweaters, blouses, jeans, t-shirts and shorts.

Rizwan said that since the summer, the charity has collected around 10 bags of closing.

"The response so far with clothing and shoe donations has been great — we have been getting a lot from our friends and family," Rizwan said. "It's always great to have people who are just as passionate as us to make a change and contribute."

Clothes for Colombia had a drop box for clothing donations at the Chelmsford Public Library in early October. However, Rizwan said a lack of publicity may have been responsible for there being fewer donations than anticipated.

Another drop box is planned for Chelmsford High School in the next week, and Madrid and Rizwan said they are looking to place additional drop boxes around town.

Madrid and Rizwan also are trying to highlight the need for monetary donations, which are needed due to the high costs of international shipping. Details about making monetary donations are available on the Clothing for Colombia website.

"The biggest thing is even if you contribute $1 or one piece of clothing, it's important to remember even that is helping someone," Rizwan said.

Rizwan said she and Madrid have learned plenty in just a few months of running their charity.

"This experience has taught both of us a lot about how to run the organization," Rizwan said. "It has been a two-person effort so everything we've done so far has been new to us. For example, I had never made a website before making clothesforcolombia.org, so everything presents an opportunity to learn something new."

Madrid, meanwhile, said she is pleased to help out the people of Bucaramanga — and its surrounding villages — which is home to members of her extended family.

"I feel proud that I can give back to the community that I didn't grow up in, but it's part of me," Madrid said.

Donations can be made to Clothes for Colombia by:

• Contacting clothesforcolombia@gmail.com
• Going to the Clothes for Colombia website and filling out a Google form.
• Going to @clothesforcolombia on Instagram or Facebook
• Visiting the drop box at Chelmsford High School when it has been installed