Siti Rohani's boutique distributes pre-loved clothes to the needy in Lumut

LUMUT, Feb 2 -- At a glance, it looks like a normal boutique selling perfectly-arranged shirts and pants by size and colour in an area with many visitors.

But that’s not the case. The neatly-hung pre-loved clothes were donated by the public and collected by 39-year-old Siti Rohani Mohd Hassim and her husband Rabani Abdullah, 52, to be given away to those in need.

The scene is totally different from the usual sight of used clothes dumped into plastic baskets and boxes before being picked by anyone who takes a fancy to it, usually ending up in a mess or losing its ‘partner’.

Rohani says she has been collecting used clothes for the past five years and hangs them on hangers to make it easier for people to look at them and what they want.

“My husband and I love to keep the clothes organised and we feel it makes it easier for people to find whatever they are looking for, so it would not be difficult to find ‘ the lost’ pair,” she told Bernama when met at her home in Kampung Dato Seri Kamaruddin, Manjung near here, recently.

Elaborating on, Rohani said although they bear the cost of buying the clothes hangers themselves, they do not see it as a burden as it gives them satisfaction to see people choosing items for their needs.

Rohani said she gets donations of clothes everyday, but they are given out once a month on a date which is announced on her Facebook account, ‘Ct Rohani Hassim’ as she needs time to hang them.

“My relatives and neighbours usually help me hang the clothes which are a lot, and they do it out of the sincerity of their hearts,” she said.

Besides used clothes, donations such as school bags, shoes, books, dolls and toys are sent to Rohani’s house, whom many people, including those from outside Lumut, see as the best person to provide for the needy persons.

“We don’t limit how much a person can take, you can take if you really need it and I hope no one re-sells them. To those who send the clothes, send items which are still in good condition as our intention is to help the underprivileged people.

Rohani said she does not store clothes or items which have not been taken each month, but would pack them to be delivered to the Orang Asli settlement in Gerik.

“This is because, we usually already have stock for the following month, so items that are not taken on the pick-up day would be packed and not be recycled for the next month,” she said.

Those who wish to donate clothing or to pick any items can contact Rohani at 019-7111093. 

Meanwhile, Rabani, who is a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) contractor said his wife had declined offers from some political parties who had invited her to do the good deed together as she did not want deviate from the effort’s actual objective of giving charity.

A recipient, Masitah Darwais, 38 said she often visited Siti Rohani’s house each time to get clothes as she feels it is the best place for those less fortunate ones like her.

“I have six children and my husband works an ordinary job. When Puan Rohani does this, I will come and take either books, clothes or other necessities,” said the Indonesian national who has been living in Malaysia for 20 years after getting married to a Malaysian.

For another resident who only wants to be known as Liza from Lekir, said Siti Rohani’s method makes it easier for people in need to see and decide what they want.

“Her method is neat, organised and definitely makes it easy for those who need it. The assistance offered is especially needed for the underprivileged like me because I take care of seven people including children and grandchildren,” she added.

-- BERNAMA