Charity shop re-establishes baby safe

A CHARITY shop based in Glenwood, Likhon iThemba’s Charity Hop Shop has reinstated their baby safe at the shop.

Residents had noticed the baby safe was out of order for more than a few weeks, but according to Kim Brown, the co-founder of Charity Hop Shop, it was sent to the manufacturers in Cape Town and transported back after the problem was solved.

The baby safe serves as a safe, sanitary and secure drop off point for mothers who feel they have no other choice but to abandon their baby, “Once a baby is placed in the safe, an alarm is sent out to the safe management members, including an ambulance, a social worker, and a few individuals responsible for the safe. It is then our responsibility to get medical attention to the baby if needed, then report to SAPS and welfare.” said Brown.

ALSO READ: Celebrate unsung heroes on World NGO Day

Abandonment has become alarmingly prevalent in the Glenwood/Umbilo area and the benefactors at Likhon iThemba were stirred to make a change, “We want to create a platform that will give mothers or soon-to-be mothers the space to speak up and seek counselling. Our primary goal in each case is to assist the moms in keeping their child and not feeling that their only option is to abandon them,” said Brown.

ALSO READ: Help refurbish HOLAH baby home

Charity Hop Shop was established in October 2016. The proceeds brought in by the shop all go towards funding projects under Likhon iThemba.

“We accept all donations – women and men’s clothes, kids clothes, appliances, sports equipment and household items, as long as they are in working order.” said Brown.

According to Brown, Glenwood residents have developed a fond liking for the store, “We have had very encouraging feedback about the shop, showing that it provides a positive contribution to Glenwood. People love donating pre-loved items, thus helping and giving back to their community.” They have also started a nursery called Garden@Hopshop where they sell various types of plants, in clay pots, “We encourage people to support the garden by donating old pots or old soil, things that you would usually discard of when you’re clearing your garden, we would love to take them,” she added. All of the proceeds made from the nursery go towards their various charities.