Yellowknife (Sep 22/03) - Susanna Botha didn't really want to go to the dump but her friend Verna practically dragged her there.

"She told me I had to experience the dump," said Botha, who works with health and social services in Yellowknife.

The friends went to the dump in September 2002 and Botha thought it was going to be a once in a lifetime experience and she wouldn't go again.

But something happened. She noticed all the toys lying around mostly in great shape.

She started picking some up thinking that they could make some interesting presents for her grandchildren back in South Africa.

Then, she found herself going again and again, picking up more toys with the help of Verna.

But her grandchildren didn't need more toys.

Her daughter Myra and son-in-law Bruce McAlpine run a church in Johannesburg, South Africa.

"I decided to give them to the church nursery in South Africa," said Botha, who's been living in Yellowknife with her husband Mike for just over two years.

When the nursery didn't need any more toys, she didn't quite know what to do. She still had so many toys left, and knew there were a lot more at the dump.

From Bruce, the Botha's learned about an orphanage in Zimbabwe and they decided to help them out.

The orphanage is home to about 300 children who have lost their parents because of AIDS. They are sometimes cared for by relatives, but more than 100 have no family to speak of.

Botha also got in touch with Pro-Vision, an organization that offers help with health care, education and HIV/AIDS.

She was involved with that organization before moving to Vancouver about six years ago.

The organization helps abused and neglected children, mothers who give birth to babies while in prison and brain-injured children and adults.

"We sent a box of toys to them and they decided to donate some of the items to the babies behind bars project," said Botha.

The first box of toys was shipped just before Christmas 2002.

"I started with toys but then I picked up some clothing and washed it and sent some along with the toys," said Botha.

She received a reply that the clothes were in high demand.

Botha has been going to the dump almost every Sunday, picking up toys, boots, shoes, sweaters, jackets, shorts and pants.

She's now shipped seven boxes to Africa, four going to the orphanage in Harare, Zimbabwe.

In one shipment, she sent 103 pairs of slacks and jeans, 33 pairs of shorts, 100 overalls, 32 dresses, two skirts, 351 shirts plus toys and shoes. The cost for all that: 62 cents per item.

In another shipment. She sent 450 items of clothing plus a number of toys.

"I don't send anything I wouldn't give to my grandchildren," she said.

"It fills me with excitement just thinking of the joy this will bring to children who hardly have food to eat, let alone clothes to wear," wrote Botha to her friends who've helped her out in this project.

That doesn't mean the clothes she picks up all look great. "But after washing them and patching them, they look brand new," she said.

Botha tries to stick to children's clothing, but she does have a good amount of adult clothing that has been mended and cleaned that she will donate to a local organization.

Botha said she's also received donations from people.

"One man gave me three bags of clothing that his children had outgrown. He had brought them to the women's shelter and let them have first pick. They choose some and he was going to bring the rest to the dump. But then he learned about what we were doing, so he gave them to us," she said.

Botha and her friends Denise Ekkema, Kay Naidoo and Delene Daniels packed the boxes for shipment.

These three and a number of co-workers and other South African expatriates covered the shipping costs, which came to about $350 for the last shipment of four boxes.

Botha said their help has been instrumental in this project, but reserves much credit for her husband, who has provided support since she first went to the dump.

Instead of throwing away your old clothes at the dump, you may want to look at a few local organizations first.

The Salvation Army, the YWCA and a few church groups accept donations of clothing, toys and household items.

The Salvation Army has their thrift store on Franklin Avenue where they sell used items at low costs. The YWCA has a clothing exchange on Wednesdays at the Transitional Housing Project for the residents.

"There's no need to take old clothing to the dump, said Kate Wilson, director of the YWCA Transition Housing Project.

Wilson said they are short of mattresses and box springs at the moment.

"Whatever we get it usually goes quickly, especially baby clothing," said Wilson.