The Narooma News, Eurobodalla Independent, Moruya Examiner, Bega District News and Eden Magnet have had another use found for them and are being used to help education in Nepal thanks to a group of volunteers.

The Narooma ladies make carry-bags out of them to sell, with the funds donated to the Asha Foundation.

The Asha Foundation is a not-for-profit Moruya-based charity, dedicated to helping Nepalese children climb out of poverty and into a sustainable life.

Bag maker volunteer and coordinator Lorraine Schmaman said they had made more than 3000 bags and raised close to $700 for the Foundation in the two years they have made them.

“The bags sell for $1 or $2 in retail shops but they buy them off us at $15 for a bundle of 40,” Ms Schmaman said.

She described the bags as a “runaway success” and said they were popular.

“All the people we have ever supplied come back to us for more,” Ms Schmaman said.

“I think people like the fact that they can be re-used and showcase the Far South Coast.”

The idea for the bags came from a friend of Ms Schmaman who has returned from India with one similar, for which the proceeds went to street kids in India.

“We thought the opportunity to do something similar and raise money was too good to pass up,” she said.

Only using two pages from the papers and taking as little as five to 10 minutes to make, the volunteers make several at each meeting.

“We have three to eight volunteers at each meeting,” Ms Schmaman said.

“We make the bags because we are committed volunteers who want to give back to the community who is worthy of support.

“We specifically support the Asha Foundation.”

After using a whole host of other glues, the volunteers found Bostik was by far the strongest.

“They have donated and delivered easily a couple of thousand glue sticks,” Ms Schmaman said.