MISSIONVALE BAG SUCCESS

Following a recent article in PE Express, the Missionvale Care Centre has had a "marvellous response" to their newest fundraising project. Female crafters at the centre have been stitching together cloth bags as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, especially since the latter are slowly but surely being phased out for environmental reasons.

"We had a huge response from the public following the article in PE Express" says Melanie Arkeldien, who assists Sister Ethel Normoyle in running the Missionvale Care Centre.

Missionvale is considered to be one of the most poverty stricken communities in the greater Port Elizabeth area.

This ingenious sewing project is a desperate fundraising effort by the centre, especially as it still hasn't received the government subsidy which the Eastern Cape premier's office undertook to reinstate earlier this year. Orders are still pouring in for these sturdy, navy coloured bags, which come in a standard size and fabric and cost only R6 each, says Ms Arkeldien.

People have been ordering on behalf of their friends to make collection easier, and we also have two shops in the community who have agreed to sell some of the bags from their premises.

"We can now start taking special orders, for instance if people want to supply their own printed fabric or want special compartments inside".

Those who haven't yet bought their bags but are keen to do so, may visit the Missionvale Care Centre's stall at Art in The Park in St George's Park over the next three Sundays.

Anyone who would like to order some of the shopping bags, or is able to help in some way, may contact the Missionvale Care Centre on Tel. 464-6356.

back to top