By A'laa Koddous Allah When Ahmed Farouq suggested to his friend Mohamed El Daqaq that they should display their old clothes for free to the poor, Daqaq welcomed the idea and they immediately set about it."I told Daqaq that I have a lot of clothes that don't fit me now. He said,‘Yes, and me too'," Farouq told El-Watan. "We decided to begin the project together. So each one brought out the clothes that no longer fitted him." He added that they collected clothes from their wives and children too, each one having decided to donate their old clothes to this charity project."We had always donated clothes to charity associations, but this time we decided to help the residents of our district," Daqaq said. And so, Daqaq and Farouq opened the first free clothes shop in Matareya, the district they live in."When people come to buy the clothes they are glad to find that they can get what they want free.They can't afford to buy new clothes and they transfer their happiness to us," Daqaq added. "Their happiness gives us the power to continue the project."He added that some people can't believe that the clothes are free until they take them and leave the shop. He said that they began their project four months ago and news of it spread very quickly. Now, everyday, some of our neighbours donate clothes for the poor of Matareya. "Some factories have also sent us new clothes as a donation,"El Daqaq said. "And many governorates ask us to visit them as they have many poor people who need clothes. Alexandria and Assiut, in particular, want us to come." They are planning to visit Alexandria this month. Then they will go to Assiut and tour all the other governorates. Farouk said that they never ask the people anything, their nationality, religion, address or even name. They only care for their happiness. "Their happiness gives us positive energy," he said. He added that once a non-Egyptian woman, who, he thinks, was from another African country, was about to dance in the street when she knew that the blouse she took was free of charge. "What makes me really happy, is when I see the indescribable joy on children's faces when their mother gets some clothes for them," Farouk said. "To be part of other people's happiness is a blessing from God." He added that the project not only gave away free clothes, it also gave many other things for free, like a good mood and positive energy. Anyone who is suffering from depression can come and be happy."We are selling happiness." "I hope that all Egyptians can take part in delighting each other," Farouk said. "They can donate clothes they don't need. We are in winter. It is very cold and there are many poor people who really need clothes."
