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A free library and reading room: a volunteer-led effort in Sandton
A community-led a free library and reading room at the old Cedar bus depot that will serve 259 neighbors.
🇿🇦 South Africa654 views
For five years the neighborhood has asked for a free library and reading room. This year a group of 14 volunteers, including two retired carpenters, decided to stop waiting. The council has given permission for the old Cedar bus depot, but no funding.
We have received donated soil and plants, and the remaining cost is $950.
It will serve about 259 people, including young people who have nowhere safe to play. We'll hold a build day in August and everyone is invited.
We're a small team, and every dollar will be spent in the open - I'll post receipts and progress photos.
Funds are spent only on materials, permits and safety equipment; all labor is volunteered.
Where the $950 goes:
• Materials: $720
• Permits and inspections: $110
• Safety equipment and signage: $65
• Tools hire and delivery: $55
Please ask me anything in the questions section. I'll answer honestly and quickly.
Updates from Gareth
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- Luke K. Hudson 🇺🇸 · $20
“Praying for you. Thought of Gareth all day after reading this.”
- Faith A. Castillo 🇺🇸 · $20
“All the best. I'm in Arlington, thinking of you.”
- Katherine R. Black 🇺🇸 · $100
- Boubacar Fall 🇫🇷 · $25
- Tadhg K. White 🇮🇪 · $28
- Natalia G. Cortés 🇺🇸 · $75
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Is there anything that isn't money that would help Gareth?
keep going. I hope things turn around soon. All the best
so sorry you're going through this. I hope things turn around soon. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Blessings.
how is Gareth doing now?
Best of luck, Gareth. This could happen to any of us. Blessings
Hang in there, Gareth. Hope this works out for you. I went through something like this 3 years ago and strangers helped me out. Greetings from El Paso
Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Gareth.
Sure. The biggest one is materials, $720. The rest is in the list at the bottom of the post and I'll upload receipts as I pay each one. Let me know if you want more detail.
So sorry you're going through this. Shared this with my family. I have a 13 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Take care
Thinking of you. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Love from Mumbai.
Sending good thoughts, Gareth. I hope things turn around soon. After 12 years in hospitality I know how hard it's to ask for anything. All the best.
So sorry you're going through this. Great idea, hope you get there. Thinking of Sandton!
Hope things get better soon. Your post was clear and honest. Thinking of Sandton.
sending strength. More neighborhoods should do this. Thinking of Sandton.
Hope it all works out. Hope this works out for you. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. Love from Hải Phòng.
Sending strength, Gareth. This could happen to any of us. Greetings from Manchester.
Wishing you the best, Gareth. This could happen to any of us. Love from Southampton