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Help Gareth restart a tailoring shop in Ekurhuleni after floodwater

Gareth lost three industrial sewing machines to floodwater and needs $900 to reopen a tailoring shop and support the family.

Anywhere in the world790 views
Gareth Van der Merwe
Email verified
Ekurhuleni
For six years I have run a tailoring shop in Ekurhuleni. In August, floodwater took three industrial sewing machines. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Tuesday, and I employed 3 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 4 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. I'll buy equipment from local suppliers and post photos and receipts as I go. Where the $900 goes: • Replacing three industrial sewing machines: $580 • Working capital for the first month: $135 • Initial stock: fabric and thread: $185 Whatever you can give, even just sharing this page, means a lot. - Gareth
#small-business#livelihood#restart

Updates from Gareth

  1. Thank you all. We're at 60% now ($538). I'm honestly stunned. I made the first payment toward initial stock: fabric and thread.

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  • Laura L. Pérez 🇲🇽 · $10
  • Shawn T. Acosta 🇬🇧 · $50
  • Ishita L. Rathore 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Heru Rudi Setiawan 🇮🇩 · $250
  • So-yeon Sun-hee Ku 🇰🇷 · $25
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  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $10

    “Thought of Gareth all day after reading this. - San Diego”

  • Gonzalo B. Rivera 🇨🇴 · $25
  • Geneviève Jade Denis 🇫🇷 · $50

    “Stay strong. From Reims with love.”

  • Aaron D. Prescott 🇨🇦 · $75
  • Qiang Li 🇦🇺 · $60

    “Hope it all works out. Hope the December deadline works out. - Sydney”

  • Imran Zubair Yousafzai 🇵🇰 · $25
  • Komal T. Mittal 🇦🇺 · $10

    “Wishing you the best. Thought of Gareth all day after reading this.”

  • Putri Yanti Hartono 🇮🇩 · $10

    “Thought of Gareth all day after reading this. - Jakarta Selatan”

  • Yetunde Lola Raji 🇳🇬 · $65
  • Anonymous 🇪🇹 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇿🇦 · $200
  • Anonymous 🇵🇰 · $10
  • Vihaan K. Bansal 🇮🇳 · $20

    “God bless. Been where you're, it gets better. - Madurai”

  • Parker Phillips 🇺🇸 · $10

    “All the best. Hope the December deadline works out. - Los Angeles”

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  • Mauricio P. Hernández

    Take care, Gareth. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did.

    • Regina Mariana CoelhoQuestion

      is there anything that isn't money that would help Gareth?

      • Gareth Van der MerweOwnerAnswer

        Thank you. If you're in Ekurhuleni I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Thanks for asking.

    • Gustavo B. Sánchez

      Wishing you peace, Gareth. I hope things turn around soon. Please keep us posted

      • Barasa Ouma Temba

        wishing you peace, Gareth. Looking forward to the next update. All the best.

        • Divya N. Subramanian

          Stay strong, Gareth. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier

          • David Tobias Schreiber

            hang in there. Gave what I could, wish it was more. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. Greetings from Paris.

            • Sachin W. MehraPhoto verified

              Praying for you, Gareth. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Thinking of Ekurhuleni

              $1,158 raised of $900

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