by Sanusha Shamdutt | Jun 7, 2024 | Campaign, Events, Featured
On June 9, 2024, nineteen committed athletes will converge on the starting line of the 97th Comrades Marathon, the world-renowned 90-kilometer ultramarathon stretching from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
This year, these runners are not only challenging their physical and mental limits but are also rallying to support Rainbows and Smiles, a community-based charitable foundation dedicated to providing emotional, social, and financial support to children diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness, and their families and caregivers.
Denise, Tammy, and Bonni Run for Rainbows
Bonni Suckling (50) from North Riding, Johannesburg, the founder of Rainbows and Smiles, is leading a passionate team in the Comrades Marathon for the seventh time. In 2008, the devastating diagnosis of her four-year-old son, Jed, with terminal brain cancer turned her world upside down. Despite enduring three major brain operations, 35 radiation treatments, and experimental chemotherapy, Jed tragically passed away in his mother’s arms three years later. The profound grief led Bonni to a pivotal moment in an ICU ward following a personal crisis. It was there that she decided to transform her anguish into a force for good, founding Rainbows and Smiles to provide essential support to families facing similar battles.
Pictured above: Friends Bonni Suckling, Tammy Gray, and Denise Towell
Joining Bonni are Denise Towell (64) from Durban, the KZN Regional Manager for Rainbows and Smiles, gearing up for her 21st Comrades Marathon, and Tammy Gray (50) from Durban North, preparing for her second race. Both women are deeply committed to the cause, sharing a common mission to raise funds and awareness for children with cancer. Their personal goals for the race underline their unwavering dedication and passion, reinforcing the collective impact of their efforts.
René Runs for Rainbows
René Memmel (40), from Johannesburg, an employee at his family-owned business in Wynberg, Sandton, is on his incredible journey of running his 2nd Comrades. This run is more than just kilometers on the road for René; it’s an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children with cancer. He has chosen to dedicate this endeavor to Rainbows and Smiles, an organization that holds a special place in his heart. René’s goal is to raise R8591, symbolizing his commitment to the cause.
Pictured above: René Memmel
Adrienne Runs for Rainbows
Adrienne Melnick (49), from Roodepoort, Johannesburg, is preparing for her first Comrades Marathon. Growing up watching the event with her parents, Adrienne was inspired to join despite her training partner Richard having to withdraw due to an injury. Her involvement with Rainbows and Smiles has deepened her commitment to helping children with cancer.
Pictured above: Adrienne Melnick
Rianette Runs for Rainbows
Rianette Vd Linde (39), an ICU nurse from the Free State, was profoundly impacted by the fragility of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her personal journey is deeply rooted in her family’s experience; her sister Hannelie was just 15 years old when she died of brain cancer. Now, Rianette runs in her sister’s memory, and her conversation with Bonni revealed a remarkable connection: Hannelie and Bonni’s son Jed shared the same diagnosis. This divine calling fills Rianette’s heart with love and purpose.
Impact of Your Generosity
Together, the nineteen runners have already raised over R100,000 towards their collective goal of R109,591 with the help of 207 incredible donors. The funds raised are crucial for Rainbows and Smiles to continue providing essential services such as nutritious food parcels, therapeutic craft activities, financial assistance for medical and funeral expenses, and celebratory bell-ringing ceremonies to mark the end of treatment.
by Sanusha Shamdutt | May 31, 2024 | Campaign, Impact
Nestled in the heart of the Helderberg, Wandisa stands as a ray of hope for vulnerable children, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding their futures and nurturing them towards brighter tomorrows. This dedicated organisation is transforming lives through its unwavering commitment to child protection and family support.
A Lifeline for Vulnerable Children
Wandisa’s team of dedicated social workers intervenes in the lives of children who have been abandoned, neglected, abused, or institutionalised. With the guidance of their directors, Wandisa navigates the complexities of the legal system to secure the best outcomes for these children. Their work goes beyond crisis intervention, extending to meticulously screening and preparing foster and adoptive parents, ensuring every child finds a loving and stable home.
Support for Families in Crisis
In the past year alone, Wandisa provided critical assistance to 120 birth families, offering counselling and support during times of crisis, including pregnancies. This essential support helps families navigate difficult times and make informed decisions about their children’s futures.
Creating Loving Homes
Believing that every child deserves nurturing care until permanent plans can be made, Wandisa facilitated the safe placement of 148 children in local family homes in 2023, actively avoiding institutionalisation. Additionally, 36 children found their forever families through adoption, with 25 joining South African households and 11 overcoming extraordinary challenges to be welcomed into homes abroad.
The Heart of Wandisa: Community and Commitment
Founder and director of Wandisa Child Protection NPC, Debbie Wybrow, highlights the critical need for community support: “Children cannot pay for what they need. Over 80% of the children we serve face significant medical, physical, psycho-social, and educational hurdles. Each child we work with requires extensive and ongoing assessments to chart the best path forward.” Debbie told Bolander Lifestyle
As Child Protection Week is observed from today, Wednesday May 29 to Wednesday June 5, Wandisa’s dedication to vulnerable children is more apparent than ever. Wandisa’s Chief Operations Officer, Michelle Myburgh, along with other dedicated runners, will lace up their takkies for the Knysna Forest Marathon, ready to make every step count.
Running with Purpose: The Knysna Half Marathon
Wandisa has initiated a BackaBuddy campaign, culminating in their participation in the Knysna Half Marathon on 22 June 2024. This event underscores the urgency of their mission. “We’re hitting the pavement with purpose, driven by the belief that every child’s journey deserves to be extraordinary,” says Wandisa. “Join us in our mission to transform lives and secure brighter futures for vulnerable children.”
How You Can Help
The work Wandisa does is vital, and they need your support to continue making a difference. To support Wandisa and help pave the future for vulnerable children, visit their BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign page where they have already raised over R22 000 of their R100 000 goal with the help of 17 amazing donors. Join hands with Wandisa and make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children in Helderberg.
SOURCE & IMAGE CREDITS: BOLANDER LIFESTYLE
by Sanusha Shamdutt | May 28, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is brimming with pride as its Senior and Junior Protea rhythmic gymnastics teams secured a spectacular second place at the 18th African Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. This remarkable achievement has ignited a wave of rhythmic gymnastics fever across the province, celebrating the dedication and artistry of these young athletes.
Triumph in Kigali
The Senior Protea and Junior Protea teams, both hailing from KZN, captivated audiences and judges alike with their stunning performances. The senior team, consisting of gymnasts aged 16 and above, competed at the elite level, securing second place in both the hoop and ball/ribbon routines and earning a silver overall medal. The junior team, showcasing the talents of gymnasts aged 14-15, also dazzled by placing second in both hoop and club routines and winning the silver overall medal in their category.
Meet the Teams
Senior Team Members:
- Babalwa Mkhize
- Bericia Le Roux
- Crystal Viljoen
- Emily Impson
- Nina Gaspar
Junior Team Members:
- Almone Bosch
- Amy Rose George
- Abigail Smulders
- Buhle Ngcobo
- Naluthando Mbelu
- Thandolwethu Mthiyane
Coaches Kayleigh Slaughter, Tayla Henry, and Robyn Mueller expressed immense pride in their gymnasts’ achievements. “As coaches, we are extremely proud of our gymnasts’ achievements at the 18th African Championship in Kigali, Rwanda. The junior group placed second in both hoop and club routines and won the silver overall medal in the junior category. The senior group also placed second in both the hoop and ball/ribbon routines and won the silver overall medal in the senior group category. These achievements are due to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. We look forward to seeing what the future holds.” they told East Coast Radio
Eyes on the Future
But the journey doesn’t stop here for these talented athletes. With their sights set on even bigger goals, including international competitions, national championships, and ultimately the World Championships next year, the teams are gearing up for an exciting year ahead.
How You Can Support
The path to success in rhythmic gymnastics is paved with dedication, specialised equipment, rigorous training, and the ability to travel for competitions. To help these athletes chase their dreams, the senior and junior Protea teams have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy where they have already raised over R10 000 of their R310 000 goal with the help of 4 amazing donors.
Contributions will directly support the teams by securing top-notch training facilities and coaches, essential for refining their skills. Additionally, funds will go towards purchasing and maintaining equipment and covering travel costs for national and international competitions.
SOURCE & IMAGE CREDITS : EAST COAST RADIO
by Sanusha Shamdutt | May 24, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
In a world where many take education for granted, two exceptional athletes from George, are taking extraordinary steps to ensure that others can access the same opportunities they were fortunate enough to receive. Sebastian Prentice and Jason Hofmeyr, driven by their belief in the transformative power of education, are setting out on a gruelling 100-mile (163 km) race through the Outeniqua Mountains on Friday, May 24. Their mission? To raise funds and awareness for Usapho Indlu, a George-based non-profit dedicated to uplifting the local community.
The Challenge
Sebastian and Jason’s race is part of the Mountain Ultra-Trail (MUT) of the Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc (UTMB) festival, a series of trail races that test the limits of human endurance. Covering varied and challenging terrain, this race is not just a physical test but a testament to the athletes’ commitment to their cause. Their goal is ambitious: to raise R350 000 to establish a learning centre for local students and to purchase a vehicle to facilitate transportation to and from the centre.
The Cause
Education in South Africa faces significant challenges. It is estimated that less than 40% of South Africans complete high school. This statistic reflects a larger issue of educational inequity, which Sebastian and Jason are passionate about addressing. Their chosen beneficiary, Usapho Indlu, under the leadership of CEO Sally Versfeld, works tirelessly to empower families in the George area. Their programs focus on unlocking potential and fostering a sense of identity among community members.
“Each household is surveyed and through the survey they inform Usapho Indlu of their individual needs. Support is tailored to map out a pathway that is sustainable, healthy, and realistic for all members of the family. Extreme challenges facing these families include lack of transport for children, poor nutrition, no support system with homework as well as abuse in schools.” Versfeld told the George Herald
Versfeld highlights that one of the most common requests from families involved in their outreach is for better educational opportunities for their children. Many parents, themselves uneducated and unemployed, see education as the key to a brighter future. The funds raised by Sebastian and Jason will help Usapho Indlu meet these needs more effectively, particularly by reducing the heavy costs currently spent on transportation like Ubers and hired vehicles.
“This will be the focus of our fundraiser. Our aim is to better equip the Education Centre, where 42 children from 27 households attend. In addition, the transport situation in the community is unsafe, expensive and out of the reach of the learners.” says Sebastian and Jason.
A Call to Action
The public’s support is crucial to achieving this goal. Donations are being collected through Sebastian and Jason’s BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign. So far, the campaign has raised just over R46 000. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings the community closer to realising the dream of a dedicated learning centre and reliable transportation for students.
How You Can Help
Sebastian and Jason’s journey is not just a race; it is a powerful statement of solidarity and hope. By donating to their campaign on BackaBuddy under “100 Miles for Education,” you can join them in making a tangible difference in the lives of young learners in George.
SOURCE & IMAGE CREDITS: GEORGE HERALD
by Sanusha Shamdutt | May 22, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
Charlton Mnyasta, an 18-year-old chess prodigy and grade 12 student at Elsies River High School, Cape Town, has been selected by Chess South Africa to represent the country in three major international tournaments this year.
Pictured above: Chess champion Charlton Mnyasta
Charlton’s journey in chess began seven years ago. Since then, his dedication and exceptional skill have earned him a prominent place in South African chess. Recently, he scored an impressive 8.5 out of 9 at the South African Junior Chess Championship 2024, securing his place at the World Junior Chess Championship in India next month and the Africa Junior Chess Championships in Egypt in November.
Beyond these accomplishments, Charlton has made a name for himself locally, securing a joint first-place finish at the Cape Town Open Chess Championship, winning first place at the Steinitz Chess Festival, and achieving fourth place at the South African Closed Chess Championship. These victories have not only established him as a formidable player but have also secured his spot on the South African Men’s team for the Chess Olympiad in Hungary this September.
Charlton’s dedication to chess is evident in his achievements and his aspirations. “I’m thrilled and honoured to represent my country. While I’m able to play the local tournaments within my province, it becomes challenging when I need to participate in inter-provincial and even more so on an international stage as the costs associated with these tournaments are too much,” Charlton told Daily Voice.
Pictured above: Charlton proudly showing off his trophies
The financial burdens of competing internationally are significant. Llewelyn Louw, chairperson of the Blackjacks Chess Club and Development Officer of the Cape Town Chess Federation, has taken up the cause to support Charlton. Louw is currently raising R50,000 through a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to cover Charlton’s expenses for the championships in India and Egypt.
“I have been part of the chess fraternity for over 25 years, I have seen too many brilliant and talented chess players fall by the wayside and not become professionally recognised chess players because of financial constraints and a lack of funding afforded to this sport,” says Louw. He emphasizes the importance of supporting young talent like Charlton, who has the potential to build a prosperous future through chess if given the necessary financial support. “Charlton has the talent and determination to represent his country in many tournaments around the world but is not able to because financially he is handicapped.”
SOURCE: DAILY VOICE
