Make Ways: How to support Gold Coast charity changing lives in Sierra Leone through pre-loved sports gear

A charity founded on the Gold Coast is changing lives on the other side of the world. See how your pre-loved sportswear and equipment can make a difference here.

Kamakwie athletes repping pre-loved sportswear recently in Sierra Leone, via Instagram

A charity founded by Gold Coast woman Kat Cacavas is helping change lives by turning pre-loved sports gear and equipment into opportunities for those on the other side of the world.

Make Ways Foundation has a simple message: to make ways for people to thrive.

It was originally born through Cacavas’ long-standing connection to the small West African country of Sierra Leone, bordering Liberia and by Guinea, from where her aunty adopted children.

“I have Sierra Leonean cousins, and I decided I wanted to go and experience their country,” Cacavas said.

“In 2011 I packed up and went to Africa for what was supposed to be six weeks, and I ended up living there for over three years.”

During that time, she continued her passion for running, though began to notice an alarming trend.

“I would go running with young people, often they were orphans or definitely underprivileged children and I began to notice that they would turn up often wearing no shoes and torn clothing.

“It was a moment where I was really examining my own privilege.”

Kamakwie athletes repping pre-loved sportswear recently in Sierra Leone, via Instagram

The start

In the decade since returning to her home on the Gold Coast, Cacavas travelled to Sierra Leone year-in year-out before founding the Make Ways Foundation in 2021.

The organisation has shipped one and a half shipping containers worth of donated shoes, clothing and sports equipment to the country.

“The main point of difference with (us) is, instead of just getting the items out at the other end, we’ve actually opened the country’s very first not-for-profit sports store,” Cacavas said.

“It’s created what’s called a circular economy.

“We’ve turned Australian landfill … probably looking at around 13,000kg that would have otherwise ended up still in Australia and us having to manage this problem … We’ve been able to turn it into an opportunity for other people on the other side of the world.

“We’re creating opportunities in the country because they’ve now got access to equipment that they haven’t previously.”

The now

The impact has been greater than just clothes, with the opening of the store also providing jobs to Sierra Leonean locals.

Unemployment rates across the country are sky high with around 75% of youth unable to access meaningful and consistent work.

“(The shop) has created jobs and will continue to create jobs for young people,” Cacavas said.

“Stories are coming from our employees that they’re now able to put themselves through education, paying for their own university degrees.

“They’re earning more disposable income to support their families and build their own capacities to learn so many different skills around community development, business management, accounting and finance.

“It’s been a really incredible journey and we’re really proud of that.”

Amadu Kabba, Sierra Leone store employee of the month - November 2024, via Instagram

The first 40-foot shipping container of donations was sent in late 2023, with a 20-foot container sent this past month.

“The sports store has been so popular that they have run out of a lot of things ... It’s a mix, but anything to do with football has been extremely popular.

“Football boots, balls (and) a whole lot of team equipment.”

The next

Make Ways has partnered with schools on the coast in recent years to drive bigger donations, including Somerset College and Miami State High School, but are hoping to take an even bigger step.

“We have partnered with some local sports brands, but not yet sporting teams,” Cacavas said.

“Sports brands that have excess stock or last year’s styles or even stock that didn’t quite come back to specs ... so if the waist bands are longer than they should have been, it gets rejected by the company and comes to us.

“We also have a big dream to do something similar in Australia, so to create a local hub where it can be a donation drop off location … Where we look at having an accessible sports store that families and individuals on the Gold Coast will be able to access, offering quality equipment and items at a reduced cost.

“We really want to encourage more people to be able to participate in activities that bring them joy,” she said.