Indy staff get into the spirit of things
INDEPENDENT Newspapers staff gathered in the city yesterday to make sandwiches for The Carpenter’s Shop as part of their Mandela Day efforts, just one of the projects being undertaken by the company in celebration of Madiba’s birthday.
The Carpenter’s Shop, founded in 1981, is a short-term rehabilitation, training and accommodation centre helping to train academically disadvantaged people for entry-level jobs.
In addition to training young men, they also provide an ablution facility for hundreds of homeless people, helping them start each day with a shower and clean clothes.
Karen Cain, the social worker at The Carpenter’s Shop in Roeland Street, said the items provided would be a real treat for them.
Cain said the residents received a humdrum menu every day and were used to receiving only soup, so the hamper of sandwiches, oranges, peanuts and raisins, coffee and sugar would be really appreciated.
The items provided will be given not only to the 40 residents at The Carpenter’s Shop, but also to those who use the ablution facilities every day.
Cape Times arts writer Terri Dunbar-Curran said: “It’s always great spending time with colleagues away from our desks, and even better when it’s to do something that will make a difference to someone else.
“Yes, while we should all be finding ways to ‘do our bit’ all year round, days like Mandela Day are fantastic for focusing our efforts, and reminding us to look beyond our own little circles.
“And if a few minutes of stickiness can really brighten someone else’s day, then hand me another slice of bread and a dollop of peanut butter!”