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Canberra Today 16°/19° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Charity begins at home, in the garage…

Matt and Wendy Napier… “We can all think more broadly to help others, make society stronger and end extreme poverty.” Photo by Andrew Finch
Matt and Wendy Napier… “We can all think more broadly to help others, make society stronger and end extreme poverty.” Photo by Andrew Finch
LIFE-CHANGING trips to Nepal and Africa opened Matt and Wendy Napier’s eyes to the needs of people living in poverty in developing countries.

“We wanted to dedicate our lives to help those in need,” says Wendy.

“During a trip to Zimbabwe, we visited an orphanage that needed a $2000 loan to help set up a poultry business to support the school. We came home and started running garage sales to raise the funds they needed,” says Wendy.

Word of mouth spread and the garage sales, run out of their home garage at Wannissa, became monthly events, selling a range of items such as kitchenwares, toys, books and clothing.

“We focus on sustainable projects that can stand on their own legs post our involvement,” says Wendy.

“The money raised is used to fund interest-free loans to schools and orphanages in developing countries.”

Wendy says that the garage sales are growing and the couple plans to expand into a shop.

The couple partnered with Opportunity To Do, a like-minded charity that provides the charity infrastructure that enables Matt and Wendy to focus on their passion while running their garden-maintenance business.

Having previously cycled and walked across Australia, in June Matt will walk from Namibia, on the west coast of southern Africa to Mozambique on the east coast by late August.

The route will take him through the Kalahari Desert, Botswana and the northern part of South Africa – a total of 2250km, living only on $US1.25 each day in empathy with those who live below the poverty line every day in Africa, says Wendy.

The couple will travel with local guides and walk with soccer balls as a way to connect to locals as they pass by.

“It’s about being global citizens. Not just thinking about us in Australia, as our actions impact people overseas. We need to be more conscious of what we do for the environment and our financial investments to understanding who is making our cheap clothing. We can all think more broadly to help others, make society stronger and end extreme poverty,” says Wendy.

Walk to a Better World campaign, walktoabetterworld.com. Charity Garage Sale Canberra can be found on Facebook.

 

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Kate Meikle

Kate Meikle

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