Welcome to the home of the Uplift Project

Small donations may still be posted to the listed addresses.

Thank you to the thousands of women who have donated second hand bras. Every bra counts, particularly to the woman who receives it.

We started in Fiji:

Disadvantaged Fijians get much of their clothing from second hand Australian clothes shops. Bras are rare in these shops, particularly in sizes to suit the indigenous Fijian build. A new bra costs $40, and wages range from $1.50- $4.50/hour, for the indigenous people who have jobs.

In heat and humidity, rashes, fungal/thrush infections and abscesses (intertrigo) occur between the breast and the chest wall. Bras will help by allowing air circulation. Nursing mums everywhere leak, and bras allow the dignity of a dry shirt, and the comfort of support. A thrush rash on a mother's skin may spread to her baby's mouth, and then back into the breast itself, a very painful infection. In some regions the lack of a bra is a badge of poverty, and women appreciate the common dignity of wearing one, particularly to church, business or social occasions.

Since 2005, Uplift, through Rotary Australia World Community Service, has sent bras through secure channels, making sure they get to the women who need them without compromising their dignity.

10,600 second hand bras were sent to Fiji to January 2008. Big donations from Intimo and Fayreform in April 2008 provided 33,000 more. To September 2008 Uplift has sent 45,000 bras, and has 40,000 more going shortly.

And we've spread:

The bra situation is similar in a number of Pacific countries. Uplift now also ships bras to Vanuatu, Tonga, and PNG. Cook Islands are next. We've spread at the donor end too. Uplift has coordinators in all Australian states and New Zealand. We also have coordinators in Australia for each country receiving bras.

Uplift sends bras only where they are requested. We supply primarily to women's associations for distribution and fitting. We ship only in biodegradable packaging, and aim not to compete with local businesses.

SO please send us your unloved bras! The most needed are:

Sports bras, for farm work

Sizes 18+, all types

Nursing bras, for leakage management and support

but all second-hand bras are welcome, as these usually do not attract import duty. New bras may also be taken into some countries.

Often the bra received through Uplift will be the only bra a particular woman owns.

How do you get your pre-loved bras to the Uplift Project?

  Post them, drop them off or truck them in.
 Click here for a list of postal addresses for Bras 
 Click here for a list of Bra Drop Off Points 

Can you help?

At present we need:

Aid programs and DIK projects to take bras to the countries they serve. Even if it is just 5-10 boxes in your container. PNG and Cook Islands have asked us for bras.

Transport assistance to move bras from regional areas to capitals, and in some cases from capitals to Melbourne, where we have regular transport into Fiji.

Volunteer coordinators for NT, SA, USA and UK.

Thank you to Maxine Jones, our retiring S.A. coordinator. Maxine's incredible work over the last 2 years has harvested 32,000 bras. Uplift is grateful to have had her wit, time and dedication.

Contact the co-ordinators by e-mail

Media highlights

Link to The Age newspaper article February, 2008 (opens in new window).

Link to  ABC Radio National transcript of PM segment 24 July 2008 (opens in new window).

Corporate Donors and Supporters

Uplift is grateful for the kind and generous donations from the following supporters. Their contributions make a real difference to the health and comfort of third world women.

There is an ongoing demand for bras, and for transport both within Australia and offshore. If you can assist, please contact the Donations of stock can be made tax deductible. You may nominate where you do or don't want your stock to go.