Nandi News - April 2025

‘Two priorities of mine, for Nandi, are safety and transparency. First, safety for both the volunteers and customers. We recently have stopped taking electronics. Safety is the reason for this. Too many items, as I went through the inventory, were broken, out of date, not working, had the wrong plug (UK or US) or had been there for ages. Both Portugal and the EU have rules about selling goods responsibly. None of the volunteers at Nandi are electronic engineers, nor do they have the certifications to repair and certify the working order of electronics. No one would want to be responsible for a customer being injured due to our mistake.’

‘Second, the Furniture Store sells furniture, and those items take up space. We needed a clear area for the delivery drivers to be able to unload all donations. I watched the drivers wheel furniture through a tight maze, often tripping, or falling. No item is worth the injury to a volunteer. We need clean areas and wide aisles to be able to unload, load and maneuver furniture. After looking at the layout of the furniture store, and talking to several volunteers, including drivers, we agreed to move things around. 

First, we would eliminate electronics. Second, we would create an environment whereby the customers could actually see all the furniture. Additionally, we displayed it so that it was set up like it would be in a room. For example, sofas with tables, beds with nightstands. In retail, it is important to change up displays and rotate out items that are not selling. 

Customers want to walk into a store and see new items. They do not want to see the same items time and time again. We have limited floor space, and we need to use it to the best of our ability. We freed up enough space with the removal of electronics that we were able to create an entire new floor display. We were able to display items that were hidden before, and throw away items that were damaged, or had been on floor for months. The feedback from the customers was positive.’

‘It is important to say that changes are difficult, and not everyone is going to be happy. Change is a process, and it takes, time. Hopefully, our volunteers will be patient and understanding as we navigate through this.

My second priority is to create transparency for both the volunteers and the customers. We need to create an environment that promotes our dedication to animals - both mentally and physically. 

Customers need to know that we are the largest contributor to animals in the western Algarve (most likely the entire Algarve). They need to know that we are 100% volunteers, that sell items in shops to support these animals. They need to know where the money is going. They need to know that we are not a thrift shop. The volunteers need to be able to see that every time they walk into one of the shops - we are for animals and this is where are money goes. That is what we need to build. We need to build a bridge between our shops and the animals  that we help, so that all can cross it.’

Our newest volunteer in the Nandi Furniture Shop. 

Nina, originally from the UK, came to live in the Algarve in 2019. She enjoys running and dog walking. 

As well as learning Portuguese, she is currently busily preparing for her forthcoming wedding in Faro to her German fiance whom she met here in Portugal!  

Congratulations Nina!