New Charity Shop opens

OPENING another charity shop in Ballymoney might seem like a daunting task for some, but volunteer Victor McLean believes in the generousity and goodwill of the locals. The “Vision of Good Hope” charity shop opened on Monday beside Fyffes on the Ballymena Road, making it one of a number of charity shops in Ballymoney.

The charity has been helping orphans in Moldova for 10 years, but only opened it’s first shop two years ago. Before that, Mr McLean said, “Containers used to be sent out, but the security forces at the borders started to raid them”. Now the charity sends financial support with their volunteers from the money made at the four shops in Ballymena, Ross Island, and now, Ballymoney. The money raised helps to provide shelter, care and an education for Moldova’s orphans.

Moldova has been called the “poorest country in Europe” by the European Parliament and figures estimate that about a quarter of the population live on less than $2 a day. The Vision of Good Hope Charity provides a vital service for this country and it’s unluckiest inhabitants.

In 2007 Mr McLean visited Moldova to see how his work was benefitting the children there. The charity’s self-built orphanage is called the “House of Hope” and looks after 35 children. Mr McLean explained that most of these children had been “picked up off the street” or had been “taken from parents who were incapable of looking after their children”. The charity has given these children the opportunity to grow up in a stable and supportive environment where they are free from the pressures of their previous lives.

The fact that many of the older children have been resettled into foster and adoptive families goes to show that this charity really is a “Vision of Good Hope”.

Debby Hara, the manager of the new shop, welcomes everyone to visit and any furniture, clothes, brick-a-brack or electrical goods can be picked up free of charge by calling 07725973903. The charity hopes that this shop will allow them to “progress to build more orphanages”, allowing them to continue the essential work they have begun.