Bendigo TAFE is proud to partner with the Wise Angel Foundation to run this year’s VCAL clothing bank.
Inaugurated in 2015, the Wise Angel Foundation, a registered not for profit, helps victims of family violence regain their lives after their traumatic experiences.
Since February 2022, the foundation has also managed to distribute over 400,000 dollars worth of products to Bendigo TAFE students, Ukrainian refugees and recently just had a pickup going to an orphanage to India.
They also support the Bendigo TAFE Youth Hub and continue to aid in local areas.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with the Wise Angels foundation to support both local and international youth to thrive,” Bendigo TAFE CEO, Sally Curtain said.
“Supporting our students is at the heart of everything we do, and being able to do this whilst supporting the community is a fantastic outcome for all,” she said.
Large scale organisations sponsor the foundation by donating their unsold brand-new goods that would have otherwise been sent to landfills.
The foundation aims to have long-lasting positive impact on society.
“The idea is to give away much needed goods to the community, save our planet and teach our youth that we are all part of society, and we can all make a difference,” Sahar Ghaly, the founder and CEO of the Wise Angel Foundation said “The students are engaging with people they would never have met, hence promoting not just communication skills but interpersonal skills, empathy and improving self-esteem.”
Ms Ghaly, who believes that one drop can turn into a sea when it comes to social change, said, “rather than leaving societal needs to the government or business sectors, social entrepreneurs find what is not working and solve the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution, and persuading entire societies to move in different directions.”
As for the Wise Angel Foundation? “We continue to grow and want every student at Bendigo TAFE to come and get what they need, or get what they know someone else may need. We give away clothes, toiletries, stationary, toys and more for free,” Ms Ghaly said.
