Epilepsy Namibia is entering its third year of operation and the time has come to establish a public face in a project where the potential of people with epilepsy can be developed.

This project entails the creation of a secondhand shop. The concept of the secondhand shop is not new: it’s a tried and tested way of generating funds for charities around the world. However, the plans Epilepsy Namibia has for RE– will broaden the scope of this enterprise to great effect.

RE– will follow the structure of any commercial retail outlet with a shop manager, sales assistants and stock controllers. People with epilepsy will be given preference in the selection of staff and the shop will also act as an awareness and information centre. Sales training will be provided for all RE– employees. In addition, it is envisaged that others, not directly involved in RE–, will have the opportunity to create new employment opportunities through the creation of spin-off businesses, such as laundry and alteration services.

Most pressing is the need for opportunities for people with epilepsy to develop their potential. The RE- project aims to create these on an ongoing basis and to roll the business side of the project over into training and micro-enterprises that will open doors for people with epilepsy. It will be possible for an individual to start in the RE- project, build up skills and experience, and then move on to further employment. People with epilepsy in Namibia will benefit from this project, as well as their families and communities, as they become independent. The labour market will be enhanced by more highly skilled workers.

And last, but not least, this project will serve as a platform for awareness and information about the condition.

The project will receive US$4,780 from the Promising Strategies Program.