Every now and then you hear about an invention and wonder “why didn’t I think of that”? This story is no exception but this is one REALLY meaningful product that is making a difference to many people around the world!
Street Swags was founded in 2005 by a Brisbane school teacher, Jean Madden, who created a not-for-profit organisation that relies on donations from the public to produce and distribute swags to the homeless.
The Design of the Street Swag won the INDEX:Peoples Choice Award, the largest design Awards in the world.
A carry bag by day and a basic bed and shelter by night, the Street Swag was designed to be incredibly discreet so as not to identify people as homeless. This is particularly important for the women and children living on the streets, who need to be ‘invisable’.
They have also created Walkabout Beds selling a new version of the street swag the ‘walkabout bed’ designed for emergency relief. It is a modular tent with a thicker full length mattress or thermarest allowing families to be sheltered together.
Wow – meaningful work at it’s best I say!
Check out both websites to see their distribution map (current at 19,095 swag count!) and for further details on how you can donate.
