Goats For Rwanda
Africa is known for its poverty, whether its adult or child, many charities are committed to helping those who are in need. If you visit Skye Street, just past Glovers bar and near Avenham park you will find a shop appropriately named Charity Shop Rwanda. Couples and friends take it in turns to work at the shop, I went in for a interview in hope to gain some footage, I was greeted nicely with a smile and a coffee. The interview soon followed and can be watched below along with shots from around the shop.
The shop was set up by Joe Bamber and some friends of his 17 years ago, after moving from Glovers court where the previous shop was. The nonprofit shop is dedicated to helping those in Rwanda, and one of the ways is by buying goats and giving them to families so that they have an efficient resource, Joe told me of how efficient goats can be and how useful they are in such countries. I spoke to Joe in an interview and asked him how he came up with the idea and why goats?
Right now Rwanda is still one of the poorest countries, where 40% of the population is in absolute poverty, whereas Egypt has just 26%. In Britain we live rather comfortably and only have 7.8% of the population in poverty. Even though it is on of the poorest countries its is rich in land and scenery, which inspires people to this day.
As you can see from this chart, the poverty in Rwanda is much greater than Britain, France and China. But thanks to Joe and his team at the shop over 1 million pounds has been raised through the charity. This provides benefits for healthcare, education and agriculture. The success continues, Piggeries have been built, cowsheds have been put up to supply schools with milk, 23 families have been rehoused, a mini bus has been replaced to transport people around the countryside and raises revenue which finances its running cost. The list goes on and continues to build as these kind hearted people keep on giving and helping the less fortunate.
The shop is open for donations and takes anything and everything, so if you’re cleaning out the loft one day and come by some old toys or jewelry, why not take them down to the charity shop and help someone in Rwanda.
