Old garments often find new life in ukay-ukay shops, where they can be restyled into fresh looks or serve as affordable clothing options. However, for Mary, Christina, Melisa, and Jemelyn of Gawad Kalinga (GK) Shell Rags Production Center, preloved clothing can go beyond mere reuse. Even well-worn or damaged clothing can still have value, finding new purpose through upcycling and repurposing.
GK Shell Rags repurposes used garments into durable rags, extending their usefulness. More importantly, the enterprise creates livelihood opportunities for women in their area in Cagayan de Oro. Through the craft of sewing and fabric upcycling, GK Shell Rags not only breathes new life into old clothes but also empowers its members to build better futures for themselves and their families.
Long before GK Shell Rags was established, Christina, Melisa, and Jemelyn had already been interested in sewing. Jemelyn began selling handmade items crafted from her children’s old clothes in 2014. Christina started repurposing ukay-ukay finds in 2016 to supplement her family’s income and save up for a sewing machine. Inspired by other women, Melissa picked up sewing in 2017. Meanwhile, Mary’s managerial skills caught the group’s attention and invited her to learn with them.
Their shared connection was Lilibeth, a neighbor who introduced them to rag-making and helped form their group in 2019. Seeking to expand their operations, the women joined the City Housing and Urban Development Department’s (CHUDD) Social Entrepreneurship Program, where they met Kris Buntag. With CHUDD’s support, they secured capital to set up a bodega for storing ukay-ukay materials and refining their sewing techniques using industrial machines.
Applying their creativity and skill, the women produced rags, pot holders, and doormats from preloved clothing. As their initiative grew, more women in the community joined, eager to contribute and hone their sewing abilities.
However, their rag-making business came to a halt when the pandemic struck. The group proved its resourcefulness and took this challenge as an opportunity to create new products. They pivoted from crafting rags to creating cloth face masks, which allowed them to sustain their livelihood and provide for their families during uncertain times.
With their resilience intact, they revived their rag-making business in 2024, encouraged by CHUDD. The women grew even more excited to expand their operations when Kris applied on their behalf to Shell LiveWire.
Through Shell LiveWire, the women gained valuable knowledge, particularly in branding and business development. The training enabled them to strengthen their vision and mission of supporting other women by providing work opportunities. Today, their enterprise continues to grow, with more women joining the movement and collectively working toward a better future.
By repurposing old clothing, Mary, Christina, Melisa, Jemelyn, and the rest of the women at GK Shell Rags Production Center are sewing a future of sustainability and economic empowerment. Through their work, they reclaim their independence and financial stability. Christina knows this firsthand.
“Huwag matakot sumubok. Naranasan ko lahat—nahirapan ako, pero pinaglaban ko ang nalalaman ko, kaya nagagamit ko ito ngayon. Nabibigay ko na ang gusto ng mga anak ko kahit wala ang pera ng asawa ko,” she reflects.
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