An Irish girl has invented a life-saving sleeping bag for the homeless–with the added benefit of creating jobs for some former street dwellers.
OUR NEW APP WARMS YOUR HEART WITH GOOD NEWS—> Download FREE for Android and iOS
Emily Duffy came up with the idea after “living rough” for a day on Dublin’s streets, experiencing life as the homeless do to raise money for a charity that helps them.
The 15-year-old Desmond College student thought cloth bags were too impractical — dirty, dangerous, and hard to keep dry.
Duffy’s invention, dubbed “Duffily Bags,” have a highly reflective, fire retardant and waterproof shell. Velcro straps replace the usual zippers, allowing the user to get in and out more easily.
RELATED: Teens Turn Plastic Bags Into Sleeping Mats for Homeless
She recently showed off her invention at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin, which showcased some of the brightest ideas of the country’s young people.
The bags are already being produced by former homeless people now earning $10 an hour at the Mendicity Institution — a homeless service center in Dublin.
(WATCH the video below by the TheJournal.ie, or READ more at the Irish Times)
Warm Your Friends With This Story…
Bravo to this fine young person. This may be a “band-aid measure”.. but it’s one that will likely save some lives.
… that said, in cities where there are bans on “camping”/homelessness – since the shiny surface would attract attention, many people would likely prefer to go with blankets or a traditional sleeping bag to reduce being noticed by the police.
This is a really nice effort by him because he is raising money for a charity. A great project which he proposed, will help many homeless to have a good and warm sleep.