Handbags ready for distribution

Janine Rudwick (30) started collecting handbags filled with toiletries in November and is now ready to donate the bags to women in need (‘Helping abused women‘, November 25).

Janine and her husband, Brent (30), who are active members of the Trinity Methodist Church in Springs, attended a 12-week life course which was the inspiration to assist those in need.

Janine took to social media to request donations of handbags and any toiletries people could offer, after seeing a post on Facebook with a similar idea.

The local resident says: “Donations came in fast and people really opened their hearts to this initiative.

“Sanitary towels, facecloths, towels, soap and other everyday requirements were donated.”

She will start by delivering handbags to the SpringsCare Centre and she will also donate some of the bags to the iThemba Rape and Trauma Centre in Benoni.

Janine says: “The women at the centres have been through a terrible time and we can assist them slightly by ensuring they have the necessary toiletries.”

“A local pharmacy in Springs donated quite a large amount of toiletries, which really helped with this project,” adds Janine.

The Rudwicks, who live in Presidents Dam, had a small setback when the Trinity Methodist Church was burgled in December and some bags were stolen.

However, they persevered with the project and continued to collect what they could.

So far, Janine says she has about 50 bags ready to be delivered and once that is done she will start the whole process again as she really wants to assist women who have been abused or are traumatised.

Janine and her husband would like to thank all those who assisted with donations of handbags and toiletries.