The formation of a partnership between Pick-a-Book bookstore, Die Voortrekkers, ATKV, and QuadPara Association saw the initiation of a bottle cap and bread tag drive which resulted in a handover taking place at Laerskool Helderkruin on October 11.
Die Voortrekkers, an organisation established to perform community projects with children and young people from different schools, have identified a centre to which they will hand over the collected recyclables.
The drive, which has been ongoing since August, aimed at collecting plastic items to exchange them for a wheelchair.
According to Engelie Botha of the QuadPara Association, they support this effort since it is a recycling project that they can trade in at recycling companies for wheelchairs.
“The target with this project was to recycle 500kg of tops and tags, and for every target, we receive a wheelchair which we then donate to someone in need – whether it be a person with a disability or a mobility-impaired senior citizen,” she said.
The identification of beneficiaries is done through consultations where they would approach them or go into communities to find suitable candidates in retirement villages, old-age homes or local churches.
The handover saw the collection of 672kg of recycled tops and tags which is enough for one wheelchair, while sponsors donated some other wheelchairs including an electronic one, a standard one and a walker.
According to Marna le Roux owner of the second-hand bookstore, she had been approached to assist with the drive for the Voortrekker project.
“The school came to me to ask if I could assist them with their drive for Die Voortrekker project, and it became so big that many people jumped in to get involved,” Marna said.
They have currently identified two people who need wheelchairs.