Not your average thrift shop for secondhand clothes. The shop run by Taif Orphan Welfare Charity off Rawdah Street, Jeddah, where one can buy from vintage furniture to traditional handicrafts at a bargain. Reginald A. Williams Saudi Gazette THE poet Nikki Giovanni said, “I suppose living in a basic materialistic society, luxury to some would be having more than you need.” Because we live in a world where advertisements encourage us to consume 24/7, an insurmountable number of people are starting to feel this need or desire to acquire more than what's really needed. As a result, we are now more prone to buy the latest iBuy products, designer handbags, shoes, watches, jewelry, travel packets or even automobiles without even realizing the reason why. Looking past the psychological effect this phenomenon may eventually have on members of various societies, in the here and now the reality is it's a real craving that must be satisfied. The issue then becomes whether everyone has the means to afford that luxurious item that he or she so desires? For those not born with a silver spoon in their mouth, unfortunately this desire sometime leads to the mass incurrence of credit card debt, or may even cause some to stoop to criminal behavior. Thankfully the option of secondhand purchasing provides those who may fit in the aforementioned category with another channel to this sumptuousness lifestyle. This option enables people to purchase that perfect luxurious item at a deep discount while satisfying that craving to be included, without facing either the poorhouse or jail. On a more grand scale, this type of bargain shopping was recently displayed during Tunisia's Finance Ministry organized public auction of cars, clothes, bags, jewelry and other valuables that once belonged to the ousted president, Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali. The month-long sale had countless number of people lined up with hopes of purchasing at least one of the 12,000 secondhand opulent items up for sale at huge discounts. Thankfully here in the Kingdom there are several charity shops that provide bargain hunters with gently used secondhand items at discounted prices. Before you turn your nose down at the idea, give it some thought. As the age old saying goes, “One man's trash is another man's treasure.” There's also honor in making purchases at these shops, as your funds are used for the greater good. Charity shops in the Kingdom are similar to Goodwill shops in the United States. The way it works is people with the means to do so donate items to the shops that are then resold to consumers in the general public looking for nice gently used items at a bargain. Funds raised through these sales are then either donated to a worthy cause, or used to purchase essentials for the less fortunate. So, for those who may not have the means to shop in the Gucci, Dior or the other overpriced designer shops, secondhand stores are the way to go. Not only are you subjected to find the designer jeans, bags, or shoes your heart desires at deep discounts, you are also helping to provide a poor family in the community with basic essentials — a true win-win. So the next time you find yourself craving that designer product you really don't need and certainly can't afford, think about your wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of those less fortunate than yourself by visiting your neighborhood charity shop. One well established shop in particular is Taif Orphan Welfare Charity. For the past 13 years this secondhand shop has made a huge difference in the Jeddah community by providing basic essentials for the poor. Taif Orphan Welfare Charity is located in the Khalidiya district right off Rawdah Street. Happy shopping.
