Donation in Kind Geelong

from w
Today was our breakup for the summer holidays and the volunteers of Donation in Kind had a lovely barbecue to round off the year of fixing computers, sorting books, fixing a tractor, bikes, packing clothes, kitchenware, beds, school furniture, and so on. About forty of us are volunteers and we have got to know one another quite well - Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Some are members of Rotary Clubs, but many are not, just happy to do three or more hours of voluntary work. The boxes of goods, etc. are sent on containers to places such as Solomon Island, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Fiji though the Customs in some places really let us down when they shift the goal-posts and demand extra duty and fees.

Donation in Kind Break-up Barbeque

from w
Some of the run-up to Christmas parties are a bit overwhelming and that's how I felt yesterday, shopping for a halo for an 'angel' in a play and reluctantly writing out cards to post, then last night we drove our son to the Melbourne airport for the flight to Fiji. Just before the Air Pacific landed about 10.30 p.m. three-quarter of the lights went out in the terminal building and passengers couldn't be checked as they entered the tunnel and passport control etc. Hey, I hope the tower computers are still working! I felt relieved when I saw a bit later than the Air Pacific had landed okay.

But today was pleasant with a couple of hours sorting books and then a barbeque out at the Donation in Kind depot in North Geelong. A whole lot of books had arrived this week from schools changing over their library books. Also dozens of hospital beds. Also wooden toys,handcrafted by 'Buster'.

A professional chef who is a Rotarian prepared a delicious lunch for a bunch of volunteers.

Thank you in Geelong

from w
Every single day a woman phones me or calls in about boxes of beautiful materials, sewing kits, wool, craft books, etc. for me to sort, box, label and take to the Donation in Kind Geelong depot in North Geelong. Peceli helps in boxing and transporting. About fifteen containers leave the depot each year bound for the South Pacific or Asia. I am amazed that a small request and a dozen flyers I printed have had such a response, often from strangers who just happened to see a flyer at the Spotlight shop. The women often give me an assortment of craft items that are brand new from the shops. The items are going to women's groups in Fiji (or elsewhere) or to secondary schools for the needlework classes. I believe that there are always two or three women in every village who are inventive, imaginative, and can find new ways to make quilts, baskets, mats, clothing, etc. I hope some will be able to establish cottage industries with the things we send.
Today when I came back from a luncheon with a group of older church women I found the front verandah of our house filled with boxes, and I don't know who delivered them!

Another thing for saying thank you is for the recent rain so the drought is a memory, though we are still on restrictions. The grass has greened up and the citrus trees have survived. There are flowers and even fruit on the lemon tree in our back yard. A few months ago I really thought the tree would not survive the drought.

Sending goods to Vanua Levu

from w
This morning the container going to Vanua Levu at the initiative of Joy, was finally filled and locked ready to be transported to Melbourne then Lautoka then onto Dreketi in Vanua Levu. It was filled with computers, furniture, books, medical supplies, women's bras (!) etc. etc. and my assortment of boxes for women's needlework and crafts I had collected from various women's groups in Geelong. The locals here are very generous in giving new and old items. This afternoon more boxes arrived at my doorstep from a sister of a dear friend Nancy who passed away a couple of years ago so I did a doubletake when I saw her resemblance. Her donated goods included lengths of cloth for sewing and also little craft items and samples of what to do with them. They will go to women's groups and high school needlework students in another container later in the year. Geelong Donation in Kind depot sends about 15 containers a year to South Pacific islands and to South East Asia.
(some photos added later; thanks Joy.)