Garage clean-out leads to shipping container with goods on its way to Congo

A life-changing decision for Keta

A decision to clean out the garage one weekend has led to a life-changing decision for Resthaven Home Support Worker, Keta Nkhungu.

‘We simply had so many good-quality items that we no longer needed,’ Keta says. ‘I thought to myself, in the Congo, people would find a use for these things.’

Keta, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and moved to Australia in 2010, mentioned this to her husband, Jean Paul, but she quickly dismissed it, thinking of the costs and logistics involved in sending things to her home country. However, he was not as easily dissuaded.

‘Jean Paul is the type of person who, once he gets an idea stuck in his head, he can’t let it go and he must solve it,’ Keta says.

So, rather than sending their goods to landfill, or hoping an op shop near them would be interested, Keta and Jean Paul sought out additional donations from their network, including from Resthaven colleagues Julie Johinke and Jenny Varrity.

Keta and Jean Paul’s efforts were rewarded with many generous donations, and they have now filled a 40-foot shipping container with goods that is now on its way to Congo. Once it arrives, in around three months’ time, Jean Paul will fly there and set up a ‘Hope Shop’ with the help of family and friends in the country.

The couple have collected a range of items, including clothing, toys, electronics, furniture, bedding and kitchen items.

‘This is the first time we have done anything like this,’ Keta says. ‘But, once we see how things are being used and what is helpful, then we hope to do it again down the track. It’s great to be part of such a big project.’

Keta recently celebrated her 10-year milestone of working with Resthaven Community Respite Services at the 2024 Resthaven Staff Appreciation Awards (pictured second from right). Resthaven Community Respite Services provides short-term or daytime respite services to older people living at home in the community, giving family carers a break from their caring role.