Charity shops aims to change lives
Duyvestyn has always been passionate about charities and grew up involved in such work.
In order to change as many lives possible, mid-South Coast local Mekella Rose Duyvestyn decided to open an Ons Winkel charity shop in Scottburgh.
Ons Winkel is a non-profit, second-hand shop which is part of Solidarity Helping Hands.
The money raised through Ons Winkel is used by Solidarity to issue study bursaries, to aid the elderly with disabilities and for overall community development, with the aim to tackle poverty in the community.
“Ons Winkel can be considered the middle man in a way,” said Duyvestyn. “We note what is needed in our community and report it to our head office, that information then gets processed and so life-changing projects in the community starts, for example Solidarity Helping Hands has started a veggie garden in Amanzimtoti and have established a daycare centre in Port Shepstone.”
“It is important for us to get the relevant information so that we can satisfy the needs in the community and that is where Ons Winkel plays a big role.”
She mentioned that although there are a handful of local charities already in existence in the area, each one has its own focus point which differs them from one another.
Duyvestyn has always been passionate about charities and grew up involved in such work.
“When I was a girl, I would watch my mother work in the SPCA shop and I enjoyed assisting her,” she said.
“During school, I looked for organisations to help and even assisted at the blood bank.”
As she grew older, her passion grew with her and it was about 11 months ago when she chose to pursue opening up her own charity shop in the area to help more people.
Ons Winkel officially opened on 129 Scott Street, Scottburgh on October 1 and besides the charity work it will be doing, this shop has also created employment opportunities.
With this being a second-hand shop, Ons Winkel relies on donations to operate successfully.
“We already received many donations which helped during the opening, and I thank each and every person that has donated to us so far” she said.
“Our doors are always open for donations and we do pick-ups should people not be able to drop off.”
The shop does not require specific items to be donated, and will make space for anything and everything such as clothes, household items, tools, books, you name it.
“One item donated and sold ends up shaping someone’s future,” she said.
“We believe the only way forward is taking hands and doing it together, because together we are stronger.”
The charity shop is open from Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00 and on Saturdays and Public Holidays from 08:30 to 13:00.
To find out more, contact Duyvestyn on 074 8015170.
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