Kin to help out folk

By Andrew Pilkington

When you think about charities and not-for-profit organisations what do you think of first?

Probably fun runs, sausage sizzles, bake sales and people waving metal cups in your face. But, the recently-opened café Kinfolk has gone completely off the traditional track.

The café near Southern Cross station opened last month. But the dream started a year and a half ago, a dream that is now a reality.

Kinfolk donates 100 per cent of its profits to four organisations (two national and two international). These organisations include: YGAP (Y Generation Against Poverty), homeless people in Melbourne and Cathy Freeman’s charity.

Kinfolk staff work for free, its food is all organic and the tables and chairs are all either donated or refurnished from hard rubbish.

The name Kinfolk means to be connected and be like a family. After all, they have said themselves: “the very essence of Kinfolk is that it’s a big, rambling family”.

The café is a social and meeting place, where you can go and experience the family nature of Kinfolk.

One of Kinfolk’s current projects is the Rwanda Project 2010. It started last month and by the time it finishes mid-July, 15 volunteers will have built two more classrooms for an underdeveloped and dilapidated school.

The Rwandan school contains just six classrooms, a few blackboards, limited benches and hardly enough basic materials.  The volunteers teach English to the children and are also developing clubs with the
local youth.

Kinfolk (a self proclaimed “unique Bourke St oasis”) offers you the chance to dine on its delectable food while also helping some great causes.

Also, if you’re interested by any of the causes you can find out more by checking out its website http://www.kinfolk.com.au