Kuda
Photo Credit: EduStreams Vocational High School

Down on her luck and facing the tough decision of closing her business or giving it one last go, Kuda from Bin to Beauty bet on herself one last time. In a heartwarming turn of events, immense kindness came her way from one Good Market Samaritan. Kuda was offered a free stall for her business, Bin to Beauty, at the Rosebank Sunday Market!

 

Rosebank, South Africa (11 August 2024) — Kudakwashe Chigariro’s business Bin to Beauty hopped on our radars last year. It was a clever means to help women in South Africa make an income all whilst reducing waste by turning recycled materials into new fabulous products. But, despite the many who have been inspired by the women who turn wrappers into creative products like purses and backpacks, Bin to Beauty has faced the same plight many new businesses do—the struggle to keep going in the kind of economy that does no one any favours.

“At the end of last month, I told the ladies that we were closing down. It’s just really been so much. This is now the 5th year, and still no break through,” an emotional Kuda tells Good Things Guy.

In a last attempt to make things work for her and the women Bin to Beauty supports, Kuda decided to move her last piece on the chessboard of opportunities and reached out to Dana Druion from the Rosebank Sunday market.

“Kuda contacted me to find out how to get a stall at the Rosebank Sunday Market…When I asked her to give me more information (my passion is empowerment and social upliftment as I am a social worker by training) she proceeded to tell me her story, on the verge of tears,” Dana explains.

Kuda has been doing everything in her power to keep Bin to Beauty alive, but she is at the point where can’t even put food on the table anymore.

“She was about to tell her staff that she is closing the business and decided to give it one last shot by attending the Rosebank Sunday Market,” says Dana.

It was at that point Dana decided to help give Kuda’s ‘last move’ its best chance by offering her a whole free stall at the market—a huge relief to Kuda.

In addition to this kindness, Dana went several steps further and also tried to connect Kuda to companies that produce the majority of the wrapper waste, albeit without luck. But, she was successful in getting Kuda a mentor from the Craft and Design Institute.

This is not the Good Market Samaritan’s first time going out on a limb or sparking such significant impact for someone in need, either.

“In addition to hosting different charities every week, we assist a number of traders with free stalls or seriously reduced fees. One of them is Abigirl who was a disabled single mother of 4. She arrived every week to run a free stall in agony,” Dana shares.

Through Dana’s network, Abigirl was able to get a hip replacement which has not only changed the trajectory of her business, but her entire livelihood.

“Other traders have also assisted her by supplying her with wool, school clothing and supplies, and even food at the market when her 16 and 14 year old sons ran her stall for the months she was in recovery.”

As for Kuda, the opportunity to get a stall is nothing short of a saving grace.

“I am ‘relaunching’ at Rosebank Sunday Market this coming Sunday. Despite all the stress, somehow we have new products. A cooler bag and a backpack. I will keep pushing as much as I can,” shares Kuda.

Kuda’s push isn’t just for herself and her children, but for the women who rely on the business as a source of hope, and a more environmentally savvy South Africa.

“We are just praying that we have been in the wrong place and praying that we are going to the right place,” she adds.

“I hope we can assist Kuda to rebuild her business and keep her staff from losing their jobs,” adds Dana.

You can support Bin to Beauty at the Rosebank Sunday Market from today, or get in touch with her to find out how to assist on info@bintobeauty.com


Sources: GTG Interviews 
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About the Author

Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue. As a journalist, her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women, social upliftment movers, sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold. When she's not working on a story, she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature.

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