Colourful Swop Shop Container in Masakhane

Joe Long, a volunteer who has been visiting Gansbaai for the past five years, decided this year to spruce up the Swop Shop building in Masakhane. As a volunteer with White Shark Projects since 2019, Joe loves their efforts in shark conservation, supporting the local animal home BARC, and running the recycling incentive program at the Swop Shop every Tuesday. At the Swop Shop, township children exchange recyclables for points to spend while also receiving nutritious soup, teaching them valuable lessons about environmental care and the rewards of hard work. A former teacher and artist from the UK, Joe began painting sharks during the lockdown to raise funds and awareness, contributing R6,000 from her art sales to the Swop Shop on this trip alone. She recently transformed the Swop Shop container by painting it, creating interactive walls and games, and designing an outdoor Art Gallery space where children could draw with chalk. The children contributed handprints and engaged in learning activities like counting and solving sums on a chalk number wall. Reflecting on her work, Joe shared that "Masakhane" means "build together," which is exactly what they have done to make Gansbaai cleaner, healthier, and brighter. This project was also Joe’s farewell, as she prepared to return to England.

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