The successful electronic-waste recycling programme of MES Cape Town has brought on even more success than just the many loads of e-waste received and recycled.
A young homeless man, who turned up at MES Durbanville with a Mi-change voucher for a meal, recently started fixing laptops, computers, printers, microwaves and whatever other electronic equipment he could lay his hands on, says Franita Knudsen, fundraiser and marketer of MES Durbanville.
MES Cape Town, which is operating in Durbanville, Bellville and Parow, thanks the community for the great response after the article on their e-waste recycling programme was published in TygerBurger.
“The response was overwhelming. We have up to date delivered 11 big loads of e-waste to our e-waste partner,” Knudsen says.
Something amazing and miraculous
“During this time something amazing and miraculous happened. A young man, in a broken state, turned up at MES during December. He was homeless, very dirty and on drugs,” she says.
“One of our Be More@MES volunteers invited him to church as is, and his life changed forever. He started serving God after a supernatural encounter and got sober instantly,” she says.
The man, Chris Jantjies, started attending the Change Readiness programme at MES Durbanville and graduated as one of only five out of the 20 that completed this programme with its strict passing policy.
“He asked us why we were throwing all the goods into the e-waste bin, as he knew he could fix things. He started fixing the items,“ Knudsen says.
“When we asked Chris what his previous occupation was, as his ability is mind-blowing, it became apparent that he has no memory of his past.
“He woke up in Tygerberg Hospital after being in a coma for 10 weeks. He had undergone major brain surgery. The only thing that the hospital could tell him was his identity number and name. He did not even remember his own name.
“Nobody could tell him what had happened to him or who brought him into the hospital. After being discharged, he ended up on the street. Now, three years later, Chris has new hope,” she says.
Evaluate his skills
Knudsen says they are currently looking for IT or electronic repair companies that would evaluate his skills to see what exactly his ability is, as they don’t know what qualifications he has.
“A family in Wellway Park in Durbanville took this young man into their home and he is currently working as a GROW team member at MES Durbanville. We know that there is so much more waiting for this gentleman,” she says.
“We never know what brought someone to where they are at. We know that we discovered a jewel who will one day make a huge success of his life when given the opportunity.”
Chris is repairing electronic items in his off-time for an additional income to save up for a place of his own.
“So next time you have unwanted electronic equipment taking up space in your home, think of how your waste can add value to another person’s life,” Knudsen says. Contact Knudsen on 082 440 7055 or cptfundraising@mes.org.za.
Unwanted electronic equipment can be dropped at:
- 3 Davies Street Bellville: 021 949 8736 (Gerda);
- 37 Queen Street Durbanville: 082 440 7055 (Franita) or
- 110 Alexandra Road Parow: 062 148 0762 (Alda).
“We do not do collections and do not accept light bulbs, batteries and old-fashioned PC’s,” she says.
Don’t discard e-waste in black bins
“MES places a high value on responsible giving and recycling. We want to give back to the environment and the community by making it as easy as possible for the community not to discard electrical and electronic goods in their normal black bins,” says Knudsen.
“These items, when incorrectly disposed of, end up in landfill sites where chrome and lithium leaks into our water. We have partnered with e-waste collectors who dispose of broken goods correctly.
“MES in turn is receiving a percentage for goods that are resold and money for items such as whole computer screens, computer boxes and laptops,” she says.
“Our vision and that of recyclers are 100% in alignment.
“At MES we believe in recycling people too. People seen as waste and no good to society are often rejected, neglected, ‘thrown away’ and become toxic to our environment.
“At MES our mission is to embrace these people, mould and empower them back to a place where they can contribute to society and serve our community.
“The same with broken goods. Let us keep our environment toxic free by discarding broken items responsibly. It is a win-win for the community, environment and MES,” she says.
With Mi-Change vouchers homeless people can buy meals, toiletries, blankets, a shower or shelter.
Mi-Change vouchers can be bought at MES Durbanville or visit the Mi-Change website at www.michange.org.
