In May 2002 GAPA opened its first shop.
Until December 2003 the trading store in Mandela Park provided an outlet for goods manufactured by grandmothers. Goods included handmade blankets and quilts, cushions household items, beadwork and clothing.
The store doubled up as a meeting place for the committee until we moved into our new multipurpose centre in January 2004. Both buildings were erected through the generosity of I&J, a fishing company.
The centre is the venue of monthly workshops, meetings, skills training and generally a place where grandmothers feel comfortable to visit either when they are in trouble or when they would just like to socialize with their peers. The centre is the venue of the once a month indaba where approximately 80 grandmothers congregate to listen to interesting speakers on a variety of topics relevant to their lives.
The centre has been used by the City Health Department for immunizing children against polio and is sometimes used by our neighbours when their space is insufficient.
The garden at the centre is cared for by the caretaker. All vegetables grown in the garden are used to supplement meals made at the centre for meetings, workshops and the aftercare.
A second store, in the grounds of the multipurpose centre in J section is used to display and sell new items made by grandmothers. The centre manager who is one of our members manages this store.
