The Repair Café in Our Town

Last spring, a small repair café opened in the old library on Green Street.

People bring broken chairs, lamps and radios there on Saturday mornings.

Instead of throwing these things away, volunteers try to fix them for free.

Mr.

Chen, a retired engineer, started the café because he was worried about all the waste in our town.

At first, only a few people came with their old things.

Now the café is always busy, and neighbours enjoy talking while they wait.

Last month, the team repaired over forty items, which stopped a lot of rubbish from going to the landfill.

They also teach simple skills, such as changing a plug or mending a torn bag.

"If we repair one thing, we buy one less new thing," Mr.

Chen often says.

The café shows that small everyday actions can make a real difference to our environment.

Word of the café has spread beyond Green Street.

A local school now sends students there to learn basic repair skills once a month.

Mr.

Chen hopes to open a second café near the market next year.

He believes that repairing things together also builds stronger friendships.