Gadget Recycling

Greencoat Place, London Victoria. An oasis of calm in the heart of the city, so say the flyers. Not the vibrant hub of fundraising dynamism one might expect. But it is so... An innovative new project is afoot, one that aims to trade rich-world excess for development financing for the some of the world's poorest children.

The scheme, set up by young voluntary sector entrepreneur Sabrina Jantuah, and kick-started by veteran journalist Michael Smith, arranges the exchange of mobile phones, ipods, sat navs, cameras and games consoles, with web-sourced second-hand dealers for much needed cash that will go straight towards Khokela's support of Ikhaya Labantu and Eyabantu Educare.

Khokela, the UK arm of assistance for Ikhaya Labantu, arranges volunteer trips for willing people with useful skills who will spend a few weeks at the shelter providing services that are otherwise unaffordable in the local Langa township. Contributions to the new Gadget Recycling scheme go directly to the provision of food and blankets for the homeless, the upgrading of the antiquated plumbing system and the mending of the leaky roofs.

If you would like to donate to the scheme, please send your gadgets, (even unwanted and broken) to Hope in the Cities at 24 Greencoat Place, London, SW1P 1RD.