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The Rise of Repair Cafés

When my laptop stopped charging, my first instinct was to replace it. A new model was on sale, and the adverts promised it would be faster, lighter, and “more sustainable”. Still, something felt wrong about throwing away a device that had worked perfectly for years. (1) .......... The idea sounded old-fashioned at first, like something from my grandparents’ time. But it is becoming popular again, especially in cities where people are tired of buying the same things repeatedly. Repair cafés are usually run by volunteers who enjoy fixing objects and sharing their skills. On the Saturday I went, the community hall was already busy. One table was covered in sewing kits and buttons; another had tools laid out in neat rows. People were waiting with lamps, toasters, bicycles, and even a teddy bear with a torn ear. (2) .......... A volunteer called Marta waved me over and asked what the problem was. She didn’t take the laptop from me immediately. Instead, she asked me to describe what had happened and when I had first noticed it. Then she explained what she was checking as she opened the case. (3) .......... Within minutes, she had found a loose connection near the charging port. She tightened it carefully and tested the power. When the battery icon appeared on the screen, I felt an unexpected sense of relief. Of course, not every repair is that simple. Sometimes a part is broken and needs replacing, and the café may not have it. In those cases, volunteers often suggest where to order the part, or they explain whether the repair is worth the cost. (4) .......... What surprised me most was the atmosphere. People chatted while they waited, and strangers compared stories about the objects they had brought. Someone offered homemade cake, and a teenager showed an older man how to search for a manual online. (5) .......... By the end of the morning, my laptop was working again, but I left with more than that. I had learned how to look after the charging cable properly and how to spot early signs of damage. I also realised that “sustainability” is not only about buying the right product. (6) .......... Since then, I have started to think differently before I shop. I still buy new things sometimes, but I ask myself a simple question first: could this be repaired, shared, or borrowed instead?