Zaharah says buying second-hand items helps her to get more out of a limited budget.
CHARITY organisations are opting for second-hand items to help those in need in a bid to cut cost.
Free Market Johor coordinator Zaharah Raishan Mohd Yassin said she was able to stretch her limited budget further by opting for second-hand items as they were significantly cheaper.
“Among second-hand items I have bought for families in need are motorcycles, cellphones and laptops.
“These are essential items for the family to get by. We decided to opt for second-hand items because they are a lot cheaper and this will allow us to help more needy people,” she said.
Zaharah said that most donated goods were also second-hand.
“It is important for us to check the items first before giving it to the recipients, because there is no point in us giving free stuff if people cannot use them,” she said.
Apart from clothes, other second-hand goods she receives from well-wishers include toys and books that are distributed during the non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) free market programmes.
Berkat Children Home director Davidson Saindran Lawrence said most of the furniture bought for the orphanage and clothes for the orphans were second-hand items that were in good condition.
“Many people are earning less since the Covid-19 pandemic and some have even lost their jobs.
“This has also affected charity homes that depend a lot on public donations.
“The amount of donations we received dropped drastically over the past two years and adopting cost-saving measures is important in order for us to continue helping the children who seek refuge in our home,” said Lawrence.
“We are able to reduce our expenses by half when we buy second-hand items.
“We just have to make sure that they are all in good condition,” he said.
