In order to promote the concept of recycling and reuse, the UWAB has established a “Thrift & Gift shop” in the SR Nagar hostel. The shop is stocked with donated articles from households of members and friends of UWAB. The articles are priced at highly affordable and reasonable rates – thereby encouraging the medium and lower income group families to aspire for better quality goods and be able to purchase the same. The proceeds from the shop will be utilized towards incorporating a community center in the New Hostel building that is under construction in Bangalore. The community centre will host workshops and events to empower women and girls in the locality around the hostel. Pilot community events have already been held in the under-construction site in August 2009 and achieved an enthusiastic response from the local communities. UWAB is proud to announce that the shop was opened one day without any fan fare, but saw a steady stream of customers. In fact our first three sales were made even as we were just in the process of thinking to set up shop!