The Thrift Shop at St. Christopher’s Cathedral has been given a face-lift and a new name. It is now called The Charity Centre of St. Christopher’s Cathedral, and is managed by The Ecumenical Conference of Charity (E.C.C.), a Christian Outreach Organisation whose aim is to serve the poor of Bahrain.  The Charity Centre is a wonderful outreach to the poor and the less fortunate. Everything is priced bearing in mind the low salary scale of many migrant workers and some Bahrainis, so there are wonderful bargains for all. Our stock varies immensely with items such as - ladies and gents day-wear and evening wear, plus shoes and accessories; baby-wear and children’s clothes from ages 2 yrs up to teens; toys; household items and books, greeting cards, and even electrical equipment and haberdashery items are available from time to time.

 The Charity Centre is not only helping some of the less fortunate living in Bahrain but it also gives both the Cathedral and the ECC additional income to help others.  

I’d like to introduce you to our wonderful volunteers; Bimbo and Annie from Nigeria,  Kathy and Maureen from Scotland, Mary from Ireland, Alberta from America, Sheila from South Africa and Claude from Goa.  In next month’s newsletter I would like to put faces to names. 

Soft Christian music is played whilst our customers browse around the centre in a relaxed and peaceful mood. It is also a time for getting to know them and offering friendship and a listening ear if necessary. 

 We thank all who have donated items to the Centre, and pray that more people will become aware of the role it is playing in helping the disadvantaged of Bahrain, by both donating items and also advertising it to those in need.

                                                                                                            Avril Mary Taylor