Diocesan News
Greenisland Parish opens Charity Shop in Carrickfergus
Greenisland Parish Church has opened a new shop in the centre of Carrickfergus which will make a difference to young lives in Africa.
The front of the new charity shop
All profits from the African Child Ministries food store in West Street will go directly to the Masai area of Kenya.
Greenisland parishioner Tony Jones, one of those behind the venture, first travelled to Kenya four years ago. “I was touched by the lives of the people there, especially the children,” said Tony. “They had nothing. When I came home I struggled just going into the supermarket and seeing the choice that we have.”
With fellow members of the Greenisland Evangelist Association Tony set up a stall selling fruit, vegetables and non perishable items in Greenisland Parish car park.
Tony Jones, left, and John Milliken serving in the shop
That was three years ago. Now the success of the enterprise means African Child Ministries can branch out into bigger, full time premises.
The money has also helped extend a nursery school, installing a tank for rain water collection, and adopting 50 children. The project employs also a minister in Norok.
“One of the main problems in Kenya is something we take totally and utterly for granted – water,” said Tony. “I saw people drinking from the river and the water was brown. Our charity has taken out 6,000 litre tanks and put them into schools to collect rainwater.”
African Child Ministries has provided the local Masai minister with a motorbike. “It allows him to go and teach in local schools. It is important that the children know that this is the love of Jesus reaching out to them,” said Tony.
Despite the opening of the shop in nearby Carrickfergus the stall will continue to open in Greenisland Parish carpark from 9am-1pm every Saturday.
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]