Help The Rural Child (HTRC) is bringing its popular charity shop model to Brackenfell with the opening of a new store at Okavango Junction on Monday 1 September. The shop will offer affordable, high-quality preloved goods, with proceeds supporting vulnerable children in rural communities through the Goedgedacht Trust’s Path Onto Prosperity Centres.
“This exciting expansion to the communities of the northern suburbs strengthens the organisation’s mission to raise vital funds to support rural children in need,” says a spokesperson for the organisation, Michelle Gibbs.
The Goedgedacht Trust Path Onto Prosperity Centres provide critical support for vulnerable children in rural communities.
“These centres offer nutritious meals, homework assistance, after-school care, sports and wellness activities, arts and crafts sessions and holiday programmes, in a safe and nurturing environment, ensuring that rural children who are living in distressed and impoverished conditions are given the opportunity to thrive,” says Gibbs.
The Brackenfell shop joins several others across Cape Town, all run with the support of volunteers, and the generosity of donors who drop off used items.
“Donations are always welcome, they truly are the lifeblood of our shops,” added HTRC founder Nicky Antonie, encouraging the community to clear out their cupboards and give their unwanted clothing, books, and household goods a second life, while giving rural children a brighter tomorrow.
HTRC Rural Child Charity Shops has its origins in Catholic Welfare and Development (CWD). In 1998 CWD was looking for new ways to generate an income and decided to start a second-hand bookshop.
Legacy
The bookshop in a two-storey restored Victorian building in Mowbray opened its doors on 1 July 1998 with a shop manager and 12 volunteers. The bookshop went from strength to strength and in 2006, a decision was made to become independent of CWD and Help the Rural Child Trust was formed to support rural children through the Goedgedacht Trust.
By 2007, a second shop had opened, on the ground floor of the Mowbray building selling clothing and bric-a-brac.
According to its website, HTR Child Charity Shops have grown to presently include seven retail shops, a mobile bookshop and an online children’s bookshop.
“Every purchase made in our shops is more than just a great find, it’s a direct contribution to creating brighter futures for children who need it most,” says Matthew Cheketri, CEO of HTRC. “By opening in Brackenfell, we’re making it easier for the local community to shop sustainably, donate preloved goods, and play a part in transforming lives.”
Help The Rural Child invites the public to visit the new shop at Okavango Junction from 1 September and discover the joy of both shopping sustainably and for a worthy cause.
The shop will operate from Unit K16, Okavango Junction from Mondays to Fridays beteen 09:00 and 17:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00.
