Dobara Foundation Redefining ageing; Hyderabad seniors turn into thrift entrepreneurs
Hyderabad: In a world where ageing is often equated with irrelevance, the Dobara Foundation, founded by 75-year-old Mateen Ansari, is challenging this notion. Based in Shaikpet, Hyderabad, this non-profit organization presents ageing as a phase of rediscovery, purpose, and continued engagement.
The foundation’s flagship initiative, Dobara Almirah, is a community-led thrift platform where senior citizens take the lead as organisers, curators, and contributors. They sort, restore, and curate donated items, promoting a circular economy and fostering dignity, connection, and a renewed sense of identity.
Since its inception in 2014, Dobara Foundation has reached over 47,000 people through various programs, including film screenings, literary sessions, and online initiatives. These efforts aim to challenge stereotypes around ageing and promote an inclusive narrative recognizing the value and experience of elderly persons.
Ansari emphasizes that Dobara Almirah fosters inter-generational connections, encouraging mutual understanding and conscious consumption. The foundation’s work showcases that growing older can mean stepping forward, not aside.
