Increasingly, people are considering the environmental impact of their shopping and have started to look to charity shops as a primary source of fashion, books and home finds.

The popularity of shopping for preloved items has skyrocketed in recent years, especially as people are more conscious of their impact on the environment, on wasting less, and on supporting charitable causes.

Buying preloved clothing not only saves money but also prevents perfectly usable items from sitting in landfill, and mitigates the negative effects of fast fashion. Charity shops advocate for a reusable society by re-homing items that would otherwise be thrown out. It’s a win-win for everyone.

“You can buy so many great things second-hand, and it’s becoming so popular. I never used to buy second-hand items before, but since I’ve been regularly supporting Oasis Charity Shops, I have been amazed by the quality of what you can find. People donate really good quality items and there really is something for everybody.” Janette 

 

In 2023, Oasis recycled 2 663 tons of waste and found new homes for well over 200 000 items that might otherwise have gone to landfill.

Each of our Oasis Charity Shops is a treasure trove of used books, toys, games, household items, and fashion. Our Claremont shop has space to sell small furniture and art items, giving these pieces the opportunity for a new lease on life. It’s about encouraging people to reimagine furniture in their homes and creating awareness around upcycling furniture pieces.

“We get so many fantastic donations of furniture, and they’re often unique and special pieces that otherwise would have gone to landfill. It’s fantastic that we’re able to help people give them a second life.” Tarryn

We are also able to arrange collection for good quality, donated furniture that can be sold as stock in our charity shops. Please email Beraldine: recycling@oasis.org.za

As well as helping people to reuse and recycle their unwanted items, Oasis Charity shops play a vital role in supporting over 600 intellectually disabled beneficiaries. Our three Charity Shops support the services and opportunities that we provide to our beneficiaries, which include our day centres, workshops & group homes for intellectually disabled individuals.

📍 Oasis Claremont
Our charming Claremont village of shops.
Corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 1:00 pm
✖️ Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

📍 Oasis Fish Hoek
Find us at Shop No. 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road, Fish Hoek.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am- 3:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 1:00pm
✖️ Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

📍 Oasis Elsies River
Located at 16th Street & 8th Avenue, Elsies River.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am- 3:30pm
✖️ Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

We thank you for your continued support.

Email us: info@oasis.org.za

Let’s talk books! Old, new, used, borrowed. Does it really matter? A good book is a journey, no matter the journey of the book. If you are not yet a convert to the thrift movement and are still teetering on the edge, here are six good reasons to convert to buying second-hand books.

The price.

Let’s cut to the basics. Price. This is probably the biggest and most obvious reason to buy second-hand books. If you’re an accomplished reader, buying books second-hand will make a huge difference to your wallet. You can buy ‘almost new’ or rare and hard-to-find second-hand books at a good charity book shop. A new book can be pricey. A good, pre-loved book is always affordable. And the great thing is, regardless of price, its magic remains unchanged.

The Environment.

Second-hand is not cheaper simply because its ‘second-hand’ or an inferior product, it’s cheaper because there are no hidden costs built into the resale. No hidden ink, paper, glue, and storage costs that still need to be covered.  That’s all paid up in full! So that little investment, has a much smaller carbon footprint. Plus, if you buy second-hand books from a charity shop, the stock is entirely from donations and supports a good cause.

Finding notes in the margins.

You may or may not agree, but there is something to be said about old books, with ‘To my beloved’ notes on the cover page, dated 1928. Yes, some people love to keep every book pristine, but sometimes finding a personal inscription or little note between the pages adds so much character to a book. It’s lovely to read why someone thought their friend would love that book, or which passages meant a lot to the previous owner. And just like that you are no longer strangers! That momentary glimpse through time, becomes a journey unexpectedly shared with a good friend.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your world.
But the love of books is the best of all” Jackie Kennedy

The pressure is off to keep it pristine.

I’m not sure how you feel about new books, but some can be rather intimidating. That wonderful new book smell screams to be preserved. The spine seems to weep and scar when you over-indulge and open too enthusiastically. It leaves you plagued with guilt for tagging the corner, no matter how small, or pencilling alongside a memorable quote. You feel irresponsible and neglectful, obligated to leave them as pristine as they are, perfect and unused. Not so, with used second-hand books. The pressure is off. The spine is already a little cracked and this leaves you free to just be and enjoy the journey.

Finding something new.

Life can do with a little more surprises. Every day, online, we order exactly what we need. A particular book, by a particular author, from a particular genre, at a particular price. And we get stuck, with no space or time for the unexpected! Not so in a second-hand bookstore. Unlike online or high price book stores where everything is organised and orderly, charity book shops are a journey of discovery. Some books are old, some new, some best sellers, some you literally cannot find anywhere else.

It goes to a good cause.

And yes, you guessed it, the five-star reason for shopping second-hand – is charity. In the case of charity shops like ours, all the funds raised from the sale of the books goes towards a great cause. Not only are you getting a bargain, but you’re also helping to support our intellectually disabled beneficiaries.

Here you can literally shop the world happy! It doesn’t get much better than that.

📍 Oasis Claremont
Our charming Claremont village of shops.
Corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00 pm
✖️ Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

📍 Oasis Fish Hoek
Find us at Shop No. 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road, Fish Hoek.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am- 3:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 1:00pm
✖️ Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

📍 Oasis Elsies River
Located at 16th Street & 8th Avenue, Elsies River.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am- 3:30pm
✖️ Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

We thank you for your continued support.

Email us: info@oasis.org.za

It’s a simple fact of life, stuff gathers! Despite our best of intentions, things just pile up. Are you downsizing? Or moving? Or, maybe you had to make space for that ‘ remote’ home office. Whatever the reason, you have ‘stuff’ lying around the house. Things you don’t want, don’t use, or are just plain tired of seeing. We can help! It doesn’t matter what it is. Unwanted furniture, electrical appliances, home ware, toys, books, sports gear, we will take it all and more, at no cost, as stock for our shops. You don’t have to wait till you move, to de-clutter and simplify. Do it today! If you have any items you need to dispose of, that are too good to actually throw away, give us a call.

When you donate to a charity like Oasis, you are making someone’s day!  Your unwanted goods, when resold, support the work of Oasis Association for Intellectual Disability.

FREE COLLECTION: For large items such as fridges, beds, couches and other furniture we will even collect for free within the Cape Town area!

How your donation helps:

Most charities accept gently used items, especially furniture and household goods, which can be used for resale. Oasis is no different. We will accept all gently-used items, especially:

• furniture,
• household goods,
• clothes,
• books
• and bric-a-brac.

Your unwanted goods are then sold, in one of our Oasis Charity shops , to raise money to support our beneficiaries and their families. Our shops are the heartbeat of our income. Without stock we simply cannot support our beneficiaries and their families. Our collection service is willing to collect any larger item of furniture, for free. Including those awkward, hard to transport, larger pieces of furniture or garden items you have been struggling to get rid of.

Items that Oasis accepts:

Oasis will accept:

• all furniture donations,
• clothing donations,
• accessories,
• dishes and glassware,
• collectibles,
• working electronics,
• books
• and art.

For smaller items please drop off your previously loved unwanted goods at Oasis in Claremont.

The bottom line:

Donating those items you no longer want or use to charity, benefits everyone. It’s a great way for you to get organized. And, if you are moving, our removing of your excess items will assist in making your move that little bit easier. PLUS, you will be supporting, empowering and assisting the work of Oasis Association for Intellectual Disability. For more information on our collection services email Beraldine at recycling@oasis.org.za

Find us at Corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont.
Trading hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm; Saturdays 9:00am – 1pm.
Closed on Public Holidays.

World Book Day 23 April 2024 

The power of reading to take us to new places and experiences is beautifully captured in Reading your way, the theme of this year’s world book day.

A good story, unravelling sentence by sentence, page by page,
can hold us in its grip and transport us to other worlds, to new ways
of thinking, feeling, and using language.

 

It’s an adventure in which we can participate vicariously, experiencing a rollercoaster ride while curled up in bed! We connect personally, perhaps identifying with the characters, and we follow them with anticipation, fascination and delight, cheering them on as they traverse magical unexplored paths, and suffering anguish as they navigate dangerous terrain.

I often find it difficult to put a book down because I need to know how the story will end: at the same time, there is a part of me that doesn’t want the experience to end. This is my present predicament as I’m nearing the end of Prophet Song, a brilliant dystopian novel by Paul Lynch. The story is set in a future Ireland, and yet, for me, it’s triggered memories about police surveillance and brutality in South Africa’s past, as well as anger about the current global approach to the refugee crisis.

It has also prompted reflection on how we deal with prejudice and increasingly authoritarian regimes in our present day. I know there’s no neat resolution to the themes in this powerful, complicated novel – I’d be disappointed if there were one – but that hasn’t stopped me from wishing for peace and harmony. This is what good stories do: they tinker with our emotions and invite us into their world to make connections, but they also challenge us to reassess and to imagine alternatives.

To imagine is to think – an active process in which we stretch our minds, play with words, create, innovate and contemplate how things could be different and better. As Einstein once said, “imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world”.

Books have the power to unleash our imagination, to take us away
from comfortable ways of thinking and believing and towards
new ideas and concepts.

 

Reading is therefore an activity: a process of thinking, learning and potentially creating. In recent years, many literacy organisations, educators, and librarians have changed the narrative around books, by moving away from narrow teaching approaches that prioritise the technical aspects of reading over reading for meaning.

They have recognized the power of shared reading activity that doesn’t prescribe what children ought to read and which, fosters a desire to read because it’s fun. Book clubs and libraries are helping children to experience a range of books in multiple languages and are developing imaginative book-focussed activities that encourage young people to discuss and interpret their book experiences, inhabit the characters, and create their own stories and productions. In partnership with literacy groups, teachers are also starting to involve parents and care-givers in the process of reading with their children. In some contexts, these adults are learning to read and to share the pleasures associated with reading alongside their children for mutual benefit.

While these interventions are relatively small scale, and not a replacement for our struggle for better classroom practice and well-stocked libraries, they represent an important model for building a culture of reading.

Another exciting, recent development in Cape Town is that the number of second-hand bookshops has increased.

Second-hand bookshops are affordable and deserve our support
and patronage. They often support a charity, and they aid our
efforts to recycle, share and network around books.

 

As individuals, we can build on these developments. In order to find their way in books, children need a plethora of books to cater for their individual needs, interests and desires. As is the case with most other activities, they need adults to help by turning reading into an active, exciting and joyful journey.

ROCHELLE KAPP
ROCHELLE KAPP is an Emeritus Associate Professor (UCT, Education). She is a member of the Board of Oasis Association and part of the management team of the Newly-Qualified Teachers’ Project.

Celebrate World book Day by popping in to one of our Oasis Charity Book Shops.

📍 Oasis Claremont
Our charming Claremont village of shops.
Corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00 pm
✖️ Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

📍 Oasis Fish Hoek
Find us at Shop No. 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road, Fish Hoek.
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am- 3:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 1:00pm
✖️ Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Thrifting is cool. At Oasis, it’s even cooler!

At thrift shops and other used goods stores you not only find unique items and cool clothing at great prices, but you also do your bit for the environment. The “green” side of thrifting is that you’re buying products that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

From clothing to collectibles, books to bric-a-brac, furniture to fine art, thrifting at the Oasis Association charity shops in Claremont, Fish Hoek and Elsies River offers more than affordability alone. Customers choose to frequent our shops knowing they will find clean, quality items, beautiful displays, attentive staff and a happy atmosphere. Cash-strapped students, frugal moms, discerning collectors and shopaholics alike all become part of the Oasis family, not only getting more for their money, but in turn adding value to the lives of the intellectually disabled beneficiaries for whom Oasis exists.

Buying second-hand is fashionable

With the global focus on recycling, buying second-hand has never been more fashionable, nor has it been more necessary since the economic devastation of Covid. Thrifting is the new buzzword, and Oasis has tailored this concept to fit every pocket and need. Here moms find clothing, books, toys and games in good condition, for a fraction of what they would cost new. Students, homemakers and even restaurateurs browse for glassware, kitchenware, appliances, décor items and furniture going for a song. Add to that vintage treasures, a vast array of art, music from CDs to vinyl records, fabulous clothes and books in top condition and you have something for everyone. But the added drawcard is the sheer enjoyment of browsing in well-designed spaces that are clean, organised and visually appealing.

“thrifting at Oasis is a conscious choice because the money makes a sustainable difference to human lives.”

Drop off a bag of your old clothes or unused goods

Along with our drop-off recycling depot, we welcome donations of any items that are in good condition that can be sold, as the income from our shops is the lifeblood of our organisation, enabling us to provide our beneficiaries with employment, holistic care and a better quality of life. For the many customers who understand this cycle, thrifting at Oasis is a conscious choice, because their money makes a sustainable difference to human lives.

Thrift shopping really is a win for everyone — your closet, your wallet, your fellow humans AND your planet!

Shop details and opening hours

Claremont
Corner of Lee and Imam Haron Roads.
Mondays – Fridays: 8:30am – 3:30pm,
Saturdays: 9am – 1pm.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays

 Fish Hoek
Shop no 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road.
Tuesdays – Fridays: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Saturdays: 8:30am – 1pm.
Closed on Mondays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Elsies River
Corner of 16th Street & 8th Avenue.
Mondays – Fridays: 9am – 3:30pm.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

When you shop at Oasis, you shop with conscience. Revamping your closet and home, while donating to a good cause.

It doesn’t matter which shop you choose: Claremont, Fish Hoek or Elsies River, the income from these charity shops is the lifeblood of our organisation, and enables us to do the work we do, while providing work opportunities for our intellectually disabled beneficiaries.

And please always remember that we welcome saleable quality donations of second-hand books, household goods, toys and games, décor items, small appliances/electronics (working), clothing, jewellery, shoes, small furniture, DVDs/CDs, art, etc.

1. Claremont Village of Shops

The Oasis Village of Shops in Claremont is one of Cape Town’s hidden gems.

The Oasis Association for Intellectual Disability has a little “village” of four shops at the corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont.

This circuit of delight is home to all things pre-loved and vintage, from clothing and jewellery, to hats, second-hand furniture, books, vinyl records, accessories and more.

– Our second-hand clothing store

There’s nothing more satisfying than trawling through rails and boxes of clothes to come home with unique vintage pieces bought at a fraction of the original cost. Our second-hand clothing store is an Aladdin’s cave of pre-loved clothing ranging from hats, bags, scarves, and dresses to men’s and kiddies’ wear. Even some throwback memorabilia from the 80’s and 90’s to help you get your groove on.

– Bookshop, including an art gallery and furniture

Books, vinyl records, maps, textbooks, plays, antiques, prints – on subjects ranging from children’s literature and nursery rhymes to recipe books by Jamie Oliver and fiction for adults – you’ll find all this and more.

All the books and art are categorised and alphabetised – we know you won’t leave empty handed.  And, our stock changes constantly, so be sure to pop in regularly.

– Oasis bric-a-brac shop

Our bric-a-brac shop has an abundance of pre-loved homeware – cutlery, crockery, vases, framed paintings, toys, puzzles and many other treasures. Stock changes daily, so pop in to see what we have instore.

While you are browsing you will more than likely catch the whiff of freshly baked breads, enticing you from the centre display. The bakery is integral to Oasis’ service and all the goods are made by our beneficiaries. Try our shortbread, brownies, muffins, swiss rolls and other baked goods, all available for sale or on pre-order – or sold to be enjoyed in the tea garden outside.

And our brand-new shopping area
– Lavender Shop

Lavender is the newest addition to the Oasis offering.  Specialising in collectibles, editions of excellent quality used books and goods, treasured collectibles, art, and antiquities.

Then, once your bargain-hunting is done, sit down and treat yourself to cup of tea or a cappuccino and indulge in a decadent scone or one of our infamous creamy chicken toasted sandwiches!

Pop in today!

Where: Corner Lee and Imam Haron, Claremont
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm;
Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Closed Sundays.

2. Fish Hoek Oasis books and bric-a-brac shop

Our ever-popular bargain shop in the bustling heart of Fish Hoek’s suburbia is a treasure trove of boxes and rails with stylish vintage clothing, records, books, paintings, and trinkets. Here you will find a range of high-quality décor and Bric-a-Brac items, as well as a wonderful selection of books.

Where: Shop no 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road, Fish Hoek
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm;
Saturday 8:30am – 1:00pm
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

3. Elsies River Oasis bric-a-brac shop

Our ever-popular pre-loved goods shop in Elsies River is on the same premises as the Protective Workshop. Practical, pre-loved, must-haves – here, you can shop for electronics, toys, clothes, books, DVDs and more – all at bargain prices!

Where: 16th Street & 8th Avenue, Elsies River
Opening hours: Mondays – Fridays: 9am – 3:30pm.
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

We invite you to pop in to one of our charity shops and browse our wide range of pre-loved fashion, books, baked goods, bric-a-brac and more.

At Oasis, there’s something for everyone!

Used goods across the world are seen as trendy and now. The Oasis Association for Intellectual Disability has a little “village” of four shops at the corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont. The planet benefits, as do shoppers and the Oasis Association, when people with a conscience visit our shops. The social enterprises, as well as bakery and recycling projects, provide Oasis with the means to provide developmental opportunities to more than 600 adults and children with moderate to profound disability. Opportunities include specialised daycare for children, housing through group home living, employment and occupation for adults. Eight services are stretched across the city from Claremont to Delft.

Public participation

The general public have always played a pivotal role in the work of Oasis with gifts of time, expertise, donated stock for shops and recycling materials.

“We are deeply grateful to all who play such a generous role in changing lives. The support is really humbling. Just one book donated can feed a child for a week,” says Gail Bester, Executive Director of the Oasis Association.

Oasis shops in Claremont

The Oasis shops stock furniture, clothing, household goods, books, games and toys, art, CDs/DVDs, electronic/electrical goods and so much more. All of these items are dropped off as donations. Among all sorts of basic household items, lovely décor items, treasures, costume jewellery, vintage clothing and original artworks can be found.

Recycling with Oasis

The recycling drop-off point accepts all paper, cardboard, glass jars, bottles, and aluminium beverage cans. The association appeals to recyclers to keep materials clean and separated, if possible. Oasis does not accept any plastic of any type, and also sells cardboard boxes, glass jars, shredded egg boxes for animal bedding, composting and packaging and various re-usable items.

Confidential document shredding

Oasis’s reputation has grown and they are fast becoming the go-to service for reliable document shredding. There is no fee, but a donation is requested which qualifies for an 18A tax exemption receipt.

Moving house

Inevitably, when packing up and relocating, boxes of unwanted goodies and pieces of furniture become a nuisance factor. “We will be happy to arrange collection, at no fee, for good quality donated, furniture and goods,” says Beraldine Jagers, recycling manager.

For more information on recycling, shredding or collections, email Beraldine at recycling@oasis.org.za

In the past we all thought we had to buy brand new products. This way we spent way too much and often our money ran out before the month did. But fast forward a few years and it is now not only acceptable, but it is trendy to shop from “secondhand shops,” or as some would have it, gently used, previously loved or vintage shops.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you call it, pre-loved shopping not only saves money, but it also saves the planet, and often it benefits a wider cause or small local business. We have all seen charity shops, book exchanges, used furniture shops, entire product lines made from recycled materials and objects, and those wonderful boutiques where exquisite clothing, often once worn, is affordable. Antique shops sell used items – i.e. The items in an antique shop must be used items to qualify as antiques!

Charity shops are not focused on retail sales but rather are a means to an end which could support a cause such as people with disability.

 

Your saving money by shopping at these shops becomes mindful shopping with conscience.  Their shelves are usually packed with all sorts of quirky, interesting treasures, scattered amongst entirely everyday items. It is not unusual to see a beautiful crystal glass juxtaposed against a cheap coffee mug. These conscience shops offer a wide range of products dependent on what the donors donate. Stock changes constantly, so you never know what you will find, and you need to keep popping in. But they are guaranteed to save you money.

Several entrepreneurs have set up businesses around selling products made from recycled materials or by just selling on used goods.  At these stores, items like used wooden pallets and cardboard boxes are sold at much less than the original price.  Reuse and recycling are two of the chief pillars to managing our domestic waste.

Buy local.  Support your local charity shops and businesses selling used products.

 

UPCYCLING

2021 is the year of upcycling. Many people find themselves in a financial squeeze and it is time for a little out-of-the-box creative thinking.  Anyone can join the upcycling revolution.

Upcycling most often “… creates a product of higher quality or value than the original.”   It is all about a splash of creativity, taking something old, and worn, and turning it into something chic, modern, and useful.

A full-length evening dress is the new mini dress. The rusted wheelbarrow becomes a planter. The china teacup sans its saucer, is a sugar bowl. Plastic bottles are bird feeders. A surplus dining table cut down to size is a new coffee table. New upholstery, a lick of paint, and new handles can create beautiful trendy furniture.

Look around your own home or your local used product shop and get started with an upcycling project.

For a little inspiration simply Google upcycling ideas. There is a wealth of ideas online that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

Stay up to date with our news and upcycling tips on our Facebook page.

Contact us 021 671 2698 or email us info@oasis.org.za

Find us at  the Corner of Lee Road and Imam Haron Road , Claremont, 7708

Trading hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3pm;

Saturdays 9am – 1pm.

2021 REOPENING – LOCKDOWN LEVEL 3 OPENING UPDATE

The New Year started with a bang and a stammer at Oasis.

We had planned to open Monday 11 January, but with the reinstatement of Level 3 COVID restrictions, and the alarming increase in the rate of transmission, we had to go back to the drawing board.

We are launching a new Oasis Co-Op, where we will be selling bottled goods, handmade sweets and fudge, knitted or sewn items and much more… Through an application process, we will make space on our shelves available to those with beautiful handcrafted items, delicious homemade treats (excluding baked goods) and those who upcycle materials into on-trend items.

If you would like to become one of our suppliers please email Gail Bester at director@oasis.org.za with photographs of your products and prices.