Freemarket at Kg Changkat Tin, Tanjung Tualang, Perak

After the launch of our first freemarket in Chendrong, Batu Gajah last month, this month Pertubuhan Wanita Prihatin Perak (PWPP) is better prepared for our second freemarket, this time at Kg Changkat Tin, Tanjung Tualang on Saturday, 23rd April 2016. This was actually a special request by the Ketua Kampong, as they were organising some events of their own on that day, and when they heard of last month's freemarket in Batu Gajah, they sought our favor to organise one at their place as well.

This time around, I had to pass some of my collections to a few other volunteers because I had double than what I collected last month and so I couldn't carry them all in my car in one trip. Since we had our first AGM on Thursday 21st April, I took the opportunity to pass a carload of items to a few other volunteers who attended the AGM. Once I emptied my car of the first load, I managed to load the balance of the items into my car for the trip to Tanjung Tualang.

The place is further from Ipoh than the last freemarket. I left home a few minutes after 7 am, and by the time I reached the place, it was already busy with activities by the kampong folks. The freemarket stall was still empty though, and so as soon as a few other volunteers arrived, we immediately started to set up the place. This time we had a load of various items to choose from... clothes, books, shoes, handbags, cushion covers, toys, sejadah, flowers, a few pillows and even a carpet. It was heartening to see the kampong folks choosing the items for themselves and their family members at home.

As for the food items, we saved them for last. This time we made sure only those who queued up would be given a food item. Since we had a limited number of each item (rice, cooking oil, flour, sugar and biscuits), we only allowed them to choose one item. As expected, rice was the first item to be grabbed, followed by cooking oil, sugar, biscuits and flour.

Once freemarket was over, and while a few of our volunteers started packing up, a few of us went to visit 2 poor families living in the kampong. We handed over some contributions as well, including pillows, comforters and rice.

 

All in all, it was a successful outing. And with the women-folks of the kampong setting up a Kelab Wanita Prihatin of their own, whatever balance of items we had (mostly clothes because we managed to collect a whole load of clothes from donors), we packed the items nicely in boxes and left them with the club so they can use in their own future activities.

I am all set to collect more items for future freemarkets in other venues in Perak. Would YOU like to contribute anything?