Hundreds of kids overwhelm recycling project

The Rotary St Francis recycling project attracted an overwhelming number of kids this afternoon.

Long lines of kids, at least three abreast, stretched  from the gates of Talhado almost right up to Tarragona Road at 2.45 pm, on the third day since the project started.

The excited children each with bulging bags of recyclable items were waiting anxiously and patiently in the long queues in the hot afternoon sun. Many were still in their school uniforms.

The shop, in the grounds of the Haven, opens from 2 -4 pm on a Friday. The huge number of kids made it doubtful that all would be attended to before 4 pm. However, Tracey de Jager, chairperson of the St Francis Rotary, on duty at the gate, indicated the hours could be extended to 5 pm today.

The shop had a fair assortment and number of items that the children can buy with their ‘mulas’ they receive  for their recycled goods.  However, far more stock is urgently needed owing to the amount of children.

Last week some children had to go home empty handed because the shop ran out of goods. The children were told to come back today to use their mulas on goods in the restocked shop.

It is hoped more donors of stock will be forthcoming. Also more volunteers are needed to assist at the shop.

Asked if the shop could perhaps open two days a week a week owing to the huge volumes of children, de Jager told St Francis Chronicle this was not possible. She added the project is highly successful and this was a ‘learning curve.’

See more…

http://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/02/13/how-to-help-with-the-recycling-swap-shop-project/

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