On an average Monday we facilitate approximately 250 children. We begin setting up our shop and getting everything ready from around 11:00 am and begin trading at around 12:30. The project is then fully operational until 4pm. What follows is a step by step guide explaining how we operate and make it all happen.
HOW WE
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Step 1
Children collect recyclable materials in the form of Plastic, Cardboard, Tin & Glass. Volunteers guide the children, showing them how to separate the various types of material.
We require that all recyclables are separated so that all the glass is together in one bag and the plastic is is in one bag etc. This speeds up the process when it comes to the weigh station, allowing us to assist more children.
Step 2
After school on a Monday they bring their collected goods to the Sunshine Service Center in Pellsrus, where they form a queue and wait for us to welcome them in. The queue is often quite long which requires patience and discipline from our young customers. A greater number of volunteers helping out lessens the wait.
Step 3
Once setup is complete volunteers sign the children in and give them their registration cards. Each child is issued with a unique ID number and a card on which we record every visit as well as the amount of “Mula’s” the child has earned. This also allows us to record savings in the event a child is in the process of working towards a big ticket item, for example a bicycle. Saving is a practice we encourage as real life skill.
Capturing this data provides valuable insight into how much a specific child relies on the project as a resource.
Step 4
With their card in hand, the child moves to the weigh station where their recyclables are placed on a scale and the value of “Mula” is calculated according to the formula below.
- 1 kg of plastic = 2 Mula
- 1 kg of cardboard = 0.5 Mula
- 1 kg of tin = 1 Mula
- 1 kg of glass = 0.5 Mula
“Mula” is the imaginary currency of our shop.
Step 5
The next step is the hand-washing station. Another good habit we try instill is one of personal hygiene.
Each point of the process affords a different volunteer the opportunity to interact with the child. This personal attention grants us insight into the unique circumstances of each child, while simultaneously making the children feel acknowledged and valued.
Step 6
Next the children enter the shop where a volunteer will welcome them in, ascertain how many Mula they have to spend and start the shopping process.
Step 7
Inside the shop, each child has their own dedicated shopping assistant – a guide who helps them choose wisely and differentiate between needs and wants. For many children this decision-making is a new and exciting experience, which builds self-confidence.
Step 8
Once their shopping is complete each child receives something nutritious to eat, usually generously donated fruit and sandwiches.
We then say “Goodbye and see you again next week.”
So now you know how it all works.
