Councillor repurposes rubbish to make toys

Ward 93 councillor Candice James has called upon members of the community to donate bread bags, cereal boxes, and plastic bottle caps to create toys for children in informal settlements.

She has founded a non-profit organisation called I Love Pjs which will be helping displaced individuals create something to make kids smile and keep warm. “We will be making educational toys from plastic bottle lids, bottle caps, empty bread bags and cereal boxes,” said James.

“When you go past all these areas and see people not being able to do much because they are displaced, you want to do all you can to help.”

The plastic caps donated are crafted into the shape of a small doll that will also be placed in an educational pack for children. These will contain the doll, skipping ropes to help keep kids fit, as well as tokens with different numbers and colours.

“We wanted to bring in displaced women, and teach them how to sew designs of pajamas created by children. We want to sell them, and then bring in more women to teach them skills they can use elsewhere,” said James.

The completed items will be going to different orphanages and the Diepsloot area. On 31 July, James went around to residents within her ward to collect more bottle caps and bread bags for the new initiative coming up, only to find that there are many like-minded individuals who have also been collecting their bottle caps.

“Seeing so many residents get excited for what is coming is really inspiring and amazing. Many members of the community had already been collecting their lids,” she said.

James said she has spoken to business owners to see how they can also assist. While the NPO is still in the works of officially being launched, James showed immense excitement and enthusiasm and is calling for residents to lend a helping hand where they can.

For more information, contact Candice James on Candice@ilovepjs.co.za