You step out of the shower, dry your body and put your underwear on. An act that feels like the most habitual thing in the world. Yet, this isn’t normal for many people. How can underwear bring economic and sustainable change? The young entrepreneurs of Moja are showing us.
In Tanzania, some boys and girls walk around without underwear because it is simply too expensive. This not only affects health and hygiene, but also the education of young women. According to the United Nations (UN), one in ten women stays home because of menstruation and a lack of sanitary pads or underwear. This prevents them from attending school with consequences on their education.
During a school trip in Tanzania, a realization about the importance of underwear dawned on young entrepreneurs Thom Uildriks and Spijk Geene. Together they came up with a business model that focuses on the health of boys and girls in Tanzania. After meeting with the Australian, Elissa Glorie, the venture growed into the ethical and sustainable fashion company ‘Moja’.
“Moja” stands for “one” and so our vision is “together we are one”, says Elissa. Working together with fun is the focus and strength of the company. Donating products or money does not bring a positive change according to the entrepreneurs. Elissa explains how working with the locals can create more impact. “Together we ensure that young women can attend school, even during their periods. For every piece of Moja underwear sold, one piece of underwear or reusable sanitary napkins is also made locally.
“Sustainability always makes me happy. I think it’s ridiculous that big fashion, in many countries, produce clothes with bad working conditions. I only wear clothes where I know their origin and when people get paid fairly.”
Tim, Moja Superfan
In addition to the production process, the Moja team also provides education on health and hygiene with the goal that the residents can eventually live self-sufficiently. Through these developments, Moja and its partners ensure that every purchase makes a real impact.
A thirty-year-old woman opened a bank account for the first time and now has a steady income by working for the company. By now, 2.000 pieces of underwear and sanitary pads have already been made in Tanzania and donated to residents. By 2025 they expect it to be one million and reach more countries with their impact. The underwear makes Moja a fashion brand, but the focus is on the goal: helping people in places where it is needed most.
“Education is very important. I am a fan of Moja because they provide independence and therefore again sustainability besides the impact of the underwear itself.” Sanne te Dorsthorst, Moja Superfan
Manufacturing process
The underwear is made by a family business in Portugal. The process is very ethical and the underwear is made of 95% cotton. Moja eventually wants to continue their development and make their sourcing and process even more sustainable with the lowest impact.
The team
Moja consists of a team of five young men and women. Two of the five work in Tanzania. The other three entrepreneurs are working from an office in Rotterdam. Moja is very open to new partners and organizations to make an even bigger impact.
Moja Superfans
Ambassador, Olivia Farcet, receives many messages from companies asking if she will model for them. Often her answer is no because she doesn’t want to represent something she doesn’t support. When the young woman discovered ‘Moja’ she knew right away; ‘this is what I want to work for’.
“It’s the first time I’ve been one hundred percent behind a company’s movement rationale. I feel the passion and importance of telling my followers about Moja. I believe in the fashion brand in the first place because of the entrepreneurs. When you speak with them, you immediately notice that their belief in the power of Moja is genuine. The goal is not to make a lot of money or gain many followers, but the goal is to make an impact in the world. In addition, by buying the underwear you are doing something for yourself and for others.”
“I would first tell people the idea behind Moja and afterwards how nice the underwear is. You get great underwear and at the same time you change the world!”
With a passion for culture and writing, volunteer, Myrthe Galle, helps with internal communications. Myrthe writes short stories to further spread the company’s mission.
“I got to know the entrepreneurs during the first version of the company ‘BOXRS4ALL’. Here they focused mainly on sales in the Netherlands and donations in Tanzania. Soon the company grew to Moja. I think it is important that there is now also a focus on the women who cannot go to school or work during their periods. I am a fan of Moja because of the foundation next to the company. Through education, they are really accomplishing something in the world.”
“Moja is a fashion company, but I’m superfan of the foundation.”
“All the underwear with flowers and bows are fun, but often they don’t even really fit. It feels like a sales pitch, but Moja’s underwear are really soft and comfortable. This is what you want for everyone, right?”
“I wear underwear for personal hygiene, but it also makes me feel confident and comfortable. I want this comfort to be available for everyone and that’s why I will buy underwear at Moja.” Sarah Groutars, Moja superfan
Do you want to be a Moja Ambassador? Apply here. Visit www.mojawear.com to try your first impact undies.
Follow us for more impact stories about fans that change the world with their favourite brand. Written by Rianne Horning for Superfan.
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