By: Nushera Raisa Soodyal

Merge is a non-profit NGO holding charitable events all over Durban and appealing to everyone to get involved.

It is pretty simple, bring a couple of your best clothes that you do not fancy any more, count them and you are allowed to take as much as you have brought. There is no money or bargaining of sorts, just simple exchanging. A pop up thrift store has been showing up at all areas in Durban and people are arriving in the dozens bringing clothes in the dozens.

This is just one event that many have gotten involved in. Debbie Auswick is one of the hosts of Merge. The clothes are sorted into a store with sections for different things and a few minutes after 7 Auswick announces that the store is open. “Merge is organized by a group of churches in and around Durban, but is open to anyone who wants to come. We have an event on the last Thursday of every month, and the events are completely varied,” Said Debbie.

They have done everything from an open air drive-in, to sharing bunny chows with homeless people on the beach front; gigs and bonfires and a Durban-wide amazing race. “Our next event is a garden acoustic,” Debbie added.

Dozens of people cued up at the entrance and then set their sights on things they want .The Pop-Up thrift store takes places once a month. Leftover clothes get donated to charity so it is for a good cause. “Thrift shop, for example, had all the extra clothing donated to CAST (church alliance for social transformation) which is the NPO attached to Westville Baptist Church. (You can find it on Facebook, or check out their website),” she added.

“We normally have about 50-100 people attending the events. But it depends in the nature of the event.  But we are fairly new, so I feel like these events will grow, and people start to talk about ten more and more.

We really do hope they do grow so that we can start seeing the young people in Durban making a difference in their city,” she added.

The Thrift shop face book profile reads: “Ever wished you could shop out of other people’s closets?? This is your chance!!! Bring some clothes you no longer wear (good quality) and swop out with other people. (You’ll be able to take home as many items as you bring!!!) Any left over’s go to charity! Young Adults of Durban, Pull in! – going to be epic!”

The next event will be a Garden acoustic and it will be at 3 Lady Crescent in La Lucia on Thursday the 26th of June.

“Each event is about hanging out and connecting, but also normally has a social-justice or outward focused slant,” she added.