When things around the house stop working, what do you usually do with them? If you're like a lot of people, you probably just throw them away.
In some areas, it's difficult to find people who can make repairs, and fixing things can be quite expensive. Also, some small objects are so inexpensive that it's often easier to just buy a new one.
In 2009, Martine Postma from the Netherlands(荷兰)decided there must be a better way. Her method was Repair Cafes: places where people can take broken things. There they will find tools and volunteer experts who are ready to help with repairs.
Postma's first Repair Care opened on Oct. 18, 2009, in Amsterdam, and was a huge success. News of the cafe spread, and people began asking how they could start their own. In 2011, Postma built the Repair Care Organization. This organization provides help for those hoping to begin their own neighbourhood repair group.
Today, there are about 2,000 Repair Cafes around the world with meetings usually taking place once a month. Around 25 objects are repaired during each meeting. Everything is free, but donations(捐赠) are greatly welcome.
The cafes not only provide help with repairs, but they also make people closer in the community. Neighbours get to know one another as they work together on projects. Valuable knowledge is passed. Moreover, broken things are kept rather than thrown away. It does good to protecting the environment.
| Cafes Around the World | |
| Basic information | ●The first one was up by Martine Postma in 2009. ●There are about 2,000 Repair Cafes so far. ●Repairing things at such a care nothing but donations are welcome. |
| Advantages of Repair Cafes | ●They help improve the between neighbours. ●They help pass on valuable knowledge. ●They help protect the . |
