LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMANA

Here is a complete list of questions and answers about our activities, including clear and accurate information regarding our organization. 

ABOUT HUMANA FUNDACIÓN PUEBLO PARA PUEBLO AND THE FEDERATION HUMANA PEOPLE TO PEOPLE 

* What is Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo?

Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo (FPP) is an NGDO. Since 1987 it carries out cooperation programs in Africa, Latin America and Asia thanks to the resources obtained by the management of used textile.
Its legal form is a foundation. It is registered as such in the register of Welfare Foundations Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte, with the number 08-0347.

* Is Humana an NGO? 

Yes. Humana is registered under the NGDO's Registry of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID).

* Who are the members of the Board of Trustees?

You can find all the information by clicking here.

* What is the social purpose of Humana?

The Bylaw of Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo indicates that its aims are environmental protection, humanitarian aid to developing communities and assistance to other groups in Spain.

* Does Humana have a social purpose in Spain? 

Yes, promote social welfare programs, formed by the so - called Aid Vouchers. The Foundation also has a Project Social Agriculture in Catalonia and Madrid and establishes agreements with local authorities to help disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, Humana helps disadvantage people through municipalities concentrating the aid on education, and assistance to families with low income. It carries out a Global Citizenship Program on textile reusing and environmental protection.

* What are the values that define Humana? 

Environmental protection, development cooperation, social support, job creation, professionalism and transparency.

* What is the Federation Humana People to People? 

The Federation Humana People to People (FAIHPP) is the main network which FPP is a member of. Through the federation we interact to other network entities in order to implement development programs. You have all the information in humana.org 

ABOUT OUR ACTIVITIES IN SPAIN

* What do we do with the clothes? 

You can find all the information by clicking here

* Does Humana sell the collected clothes? 

Selling clothes allows us to achieve our social purpose, in addition to self – financing the organization, without having to depend on external aid. The sales of clothes represents an additional process of the management of the foundation on how to finance and develop projects development. More information 

It is true that Humana is an atypical ONGD regarding the economic activity carried out in relation to the second hand clothes, but the final social purpose as a non-profit organization is clear and indisputable.

* What percentage of the generated income is allocated to the social purpose? 

All annual resources are dedicated to development programs in the South and welfare in Spain. The information is public and available to anyone through our website and our Annual Report. In the Annual Accounts which are audited externally all resources for social purposes are listed in detail.

* Does Humana also receive external funding? 

Yes, part of the programs are being carried out with funds from entities such as the European Commission or AECID.

* Is Humana an organization analyzed by FUNDACIÓN LEALTAD? 

From May 10, 2015, Fundación Lealtad has launched a new accreditation system. There is no intention from Humana to apply again for this accreditation, as there are differences of interpretation on compliance with the principles.
From April 5, 2016, we have received the SGS NGO Benchmarking certification, an impartial assessment of the compliance level of a NGO with international best practices.

ABOUT USED CLOTHING 

* Humana does not give away clothes but sells it in Africa. There is also the opinion that sending clothes to Africa limits the development of these countries. 

The clothes are sold at very affordable price to wholesalers and retailers in the country of destination. The profits are reinvested in development projects. By selling clothes at low prices we achieve a feeling of greater dignity for people, creation of stable jobs in the countries, generation of an economic flow and the elimination of possible mafias which emerge when giving away the clothes.
This view is also used by other international aid programs. There are studies, such as the one from Oxfam International, which valuate positively the effect of selling used clothes in African countries.

* When selling clothes in Africa. Humana creates an unfair competitive situation for the local industries. 

The Federation Humana People to People and its members do not work aspects of used clothing in countries with regulatory standards regarding the secondhand clothing industry. In many of the countries in the South we work in, the vast majority of people cannot afford to buy new clothes, neither of local nor imported production.

In addition, in many cases, used items are of higher quality and more durable than new products. They are, therefore, more profitable and of higher quality-price. The used clothing customer demands quality clothing according to their preferences and purchasing power.

Reuse outside of Spain fits into the Waste Hierarchy of the European Union, which prioritizes reuse over recycling from a global perspective.

The Kenya Institute of Economic Affairs has an extensive study (2021) on the used clothing industry and its contributions to the country's economy. Here are some of the main takeaways:

  • The used clothing sector is critical to the Kenyan economy, generating 2 million direct jobs. At the same time, it creates thousands of other indirect jobs, in activities such as transportation. This sector, therefore, helps improve the living conditions of millions of families and reduce poverty levels.
  • Many of the small businesses operating in this market are made up of women. Therefore, it can be concluded that this activity helps women's empowerment and economic independence.
  • 91.5% of Kenyan consumers buy second-hand items.
  • It is an important source of income for the administration. In 2019, Kenya imported 185,000 metric tons of second-hand clothing, which is equivalent to approximately 8,000 containers. This amounts to millions of dollars in fees, customs duties, and other payments.
  • The replacement rate is between 60 and 85%. That is, for every 100 used garments purchased, between 60 and 85 new garments are left to buy. This has a clear and direct impact on the environment, at the level of resource consumption and emissions.

According to the Textile Recycling Association of the United Kingdom, "the used clothing sector will continue to promote circular patterns in the coming decades, satisfying the existing demand and trying to achieve an environmental, social and economic benefit with the whole process."

* Humana sells clothes in Spain?

Yes, through its network of shops. In addition, the clothes which Humana does not have not ability to classify, are being sold to recycling companies, most of which are in Spain.

ABOUT THE HUMANA SHOPS

* Clothing for sale in Humana shops has been washed or sanitized? 

No; the cost involved washing the clothes would have to be added to the price. This would result into an activity which is not profitable. However, the clothes being sold at the stores have undergone a process of prior classification, which takes into account cleanup criteria.

* Does the network of shops of Humana include the model for growth through franchising? 

No, all shops are managed directly by the Foundation.

* What criteria are followed when setting prices in stores Humana? 

Clothing prices in stores are governed by market criteria. The price is set based on the cost and demand.

ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH TVIND SCHOOLS

* Is Humana a cult? Is the Federation Humana People to People a cult? 

Humana is not a sect, nor does it work or represent any sect in Spain. There is no sectarian behavior in our organization or any of the federations which we are part of.

* What is the relationship with Tvind schools? 

Humana and the Tvind Schools have a common origin, but are two separate entities. Some of the international volunteers who work with our local partners projects in Africa come from these Danish schools.

* Is Amdi Petersen the founder of Humana? 

Amdi Mogens Petersen has not belonged, or belongs to any board of any member of the Federation or the federation itself. He is not the founder of Humana People to People nor Humana Spain nor does he have any relationship with neither entity.

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