I have always heard that life is short. In time I learned that it is, but not for everyone. Life is short for those who get to enjoy it. Some people don’t even live and spend their days merely surviving.

Deceive those who think that we have come to give moral lessons; this is not our area of expertise, nor is it our goal. We only want to give voice to those who, sometimes, end up not having the opportunity to use it. Remember that even if we’re not the cause, we can be part of the solution and that small gestures make the difference.

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and no, we’re not celebrating. Eradicating poverty is the first SDG (Sustainable Development Goals), to be accomplished until 2030. Needless to say, but I’ll say it anyway, that the pandemic we are facing has not come to cheer to this resolution.

With this in mind and a closet eager to show its qualities, we are yet again unable to be quiet. We woke up early, because poverty doesn’t sleep, and we took our closet for a walk.

For about 1 week, our clothing keeper can be visited in Mercado de Santiago, where it decided to make its protest and offer some of its clothes, so that they can tell other stories, in new bodies. It joined “Rouparia Solidária”, from Paróquia da Nossa Senhora da Glória, to spread the word that those in need can take. No prejudice, no shame. After all, being poor isn’t a disease and if it were, at least it would maybe have the proper attention.

The goal? That one day it won’t be necessary to mark this date. That instead of raising awareness, we can celebrate.

Our closet is happy. It Knows this won't change the world, but if some people see it, maybe they understand the message, maybe they take a part of it with them. It’s everything our closet wanted, to share.

“Precisas? Então leva!” is part of the project “Random Acts of Kindness”. It had Paróquia da Nossa Senhora da Glória and Casa Martelo as partners and had the support of Câmara Municipal de Aveiro, Erasmus+ Juventude em Ação and IPDJ - Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude I.P..through the Geração Z program.