Romario Valentine, an 11-year-old eco-warrior from Umhlanga, Durban, has a deep-rooted passion to protect and preserve our planet.
Echoing Dr Wangari Maathai’s mantra ‘To the young people I say, you are a gift to your communities and indeed the world. You are our hope and future.’
Proving that you’re never too young to make a difference, Romario has received international recognition for his environmental efforts.
An impressive resume
To date Romario has done over 250 beach cleans and planted/sponsored over 455 trees in 31 countries around the world.
During the covid lockdown in 2020, with the support of his fans, family and friends he launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to support 900 endangered bird species for Umgeni River Bird sanctuary in Durban. Read More.
In, 2021 Romario launched his second campaign on BackaBuddy, for the completion of an aviary for 90 abandoned African Grey parrots for Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape. They are the largest free-flight sanctuary in the world, which includes their free-roaming forest primate sanctuaries in Western Cape and Ballito, Durban. Read more.
Romario made history by becoming the youngest Ambassador for Ocean Sole, a Kenyan company that recycles flip-flops that wash ashore.
He has represented South Africa on a panel at The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and has appeared in multiple media publications including 50/50, Extreme E’s Virtual Series Launch, National Geographic Kids, Global Citizen to name a few.
To inspire the next generation of nature lovers, Romario enthusiastically launched his first book in September 2022 titled ‘Protect our Planet – Take action with Romario’. The comprehensive guide focuses on key environmental topics – from recycling and reforestation to pollution solutions and climate change. Read More.
“I have always been passionate about nature and biodiversity. However, when I was 6, I participated in a school play as an orca. I did research with my mother and discovered the damage pollutants were doing to orcas and other marine species. I realised this could lead to their extinction and cause an imbalance in the ocean’s ecosystem. I embarked on a mission to clean the beach at least once a week ever since.” – says Romario
Crowdfunding this Christmas
This Christmas, Romario who has been chosen as 2022 BirdLife SA Owlet laureate, is championing conservation efforts of seabirds such as albatrosses, petrels and penguins, which all play a vital role in the marine ecosystem.
Currently, BirdLife South Africa is on a mission to eradicate rodents wreaking havoc among bird species on Marion Island. The sub-Antarctic island is located South East of Cape Town in the Southern Indian Ocean. Birds such as the albatross – wandering, sooty, grey-headed and petrels are on a rapid decline.
It’s believed that stowaway mice in the 19th century from sealers and whalers’ ships infiltrated the island. These invasive predators have now started eating seabird chicks therefore not allowing them to reach adulthood. The adult birds are affected too not only by the mice but climate change and other human activities. Due to the severity of the infestation, the adult birds have not adapted any defences against these predators.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R1400 has been raised with contributions from 5 donors which will save the bird species on Marion Island from extinction and restore the ecosystem by eliminating the menacing mice.
“With your help, you can be part of this legacy, to restore the beautiful seabirds and other biodiversity on Marion island . When we take care of nature. We take care of ourselves.” – Romario
Help Protect Bird Life on Marion Island on BackaBuddy:
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
RX Radio is a beloved, award-winning, radio station housed in the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, that is presented by children with chronic health conditions, their friends and siblings. Their listeners are children, youth, the hospital community and the public in general.
Pictured above: Alex, Connor, Thameenah, Anelisa and Kanyo. (Image Credit: Slingshot Media shot in 2018)
RX Radio’s mission is to spread positivity, create awareness around health conditions, share important news stories and provide entertainment around the clock to comfort their many listeners in hospital wards and public spaces in South Africa and around the globe.
“We hope to inspire self-confidence and allow our reporters to dream beyond their circumstances and have kept hope alive for countless patients who have tuned into RX Radio.” – says Noluyolo Ngomani, Station Manager at RX Radio.
Keeping RX Radio on the air
This November, as we celebrate Disability Awareness Month, an occasion that greatly aligns with RX Radio’s mission, the station is sharing the predicament they currently face, a shortfall in funding that could take them off the air for the first time in 5 years.
Pictured above: Yahya and Zaarah (Image Credit: Slingshot Media shot in 2018)
RX Radio is in dire need of raising R2.2 Million by the end of the year, to secure their operational costs for the next 12 months, and take care of their exceptional team, which consists of 4 full-time staff members, an intern, a mentor and volunteers who work behind the scenes to make the magic happen.
With the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, RX Radio hopes to receive donations from their loyal listeners, philanthropists, open-hearted members of the public and compassionate corporates, which will allow the station to be more sustainable for generations to come.
Pictured above: Noluyolo ‘Yolie’ Ngomani and Alex in RX Radio mascot, Cue. (Image Credit: Slingshot Media shot in 2018)
Thankfully, a private donor from the US has committed to donating $30 000 (+- R450 000) for 2023, to keep the historic radio station on the air for the time being, but without additional support, the station could face indefinite closure.
The Legacy of RX Radio
RX Radio broadcasts 24/7, providing live and pre-recorded programmes (including shows, music, podcasts, and radio diaries) to their young listeners.
Since 2016, RX Radio has trained 135 Children and Young Reporters between the ages of 4 and 18, who are curious about the field of radio broadcasting, such as Talitha Counter, an 18-year-old reporter who contracted Meningoencephalitis as a baby. Talitha joined RX Radio as a reporter when she was only 12 years old.
Pictured above: Saadiq and Talitha. (Image Credit: Slingshot media shot in 2018)
Talitha is a proud RX Radio reporter and the first young reporter living with a health condition to be inducted as a ‘Bright Star’ at the South African Radio Awardswhich will be taking place on the 26th of November 2022 in Johannesburg.
“RX Radio has taught me leadership and communication skills in terms of being able to handle my show and knowing how to interact with guests. In my first training at RX Radio, I was taught that listening skills are very important in the radio industry and that paying careful attention to your guests is needed. I applied the leadership skills that I was taught at RX Radio in school as well, because I am a Prefect, RCL and the Deputy Head Girl. I want to pursue radio as a career because ever since I started at RX Radio I found my passion. Radio allows my voice to be heard.” – says Talitha.
Since the launch of RX Radio’s crowdfunding campaign, over R 13 000 has been raised through kind contributions from 16 donors hoping to keep the groundbreaking station running.
All donors are eligible for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by RX Radio. RX Radio SA is a registered Non-Profit Company: NPC 2018 / 485634 / 08
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
Luke Bester, a three-year-old boy from Goodwood, Cape Town, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, fast-growing cancer affecting the immune system in August 2022.
The news devastated his parents Marvin (35) and Ruth(42), and little brother, Joshua (1).Luke now faces a long road to recovery and will need his parents by his side as he undergoes chemotherapy to remedy his condition.
“Since Luke’s diagnosis, we have been in and out of the hospital. We have lost a lot of family time. It has been emotionally draining for us as a family. During the weeks that Luke is receiving treatment, one of us is a single parent to Luke in the hospital while the other is a single parent at home to Joshua.” – says Marvin
To support Luke with his ongoing needs, 3 staff members from Bishops School, where Marvin works as a Biology teacher, and 30 runners from Pinelands Athletic Club, launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy.
Taking on the Cape Town Marathon on 15 and 16 October 2022, the runners who have varied experience, championed the 42.2km route and raised R114 000 to support Luke with his treatments, and help the Bester family with their living and transport expenses.
Ray van der Scholtz, Lee-ann Harris, Melany du Plessis, Henry du Plessis and Delyse Rist.
The campaign, which is still accepting donations due to Luke’s ongoing needs, has thus far received 106 donations towards the fundraising target of R150 000.
Alison Smith
“We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by our family, friends and colleagues. The initiative was set up by our dear running friend (Alison Smith). It has been extremely heartwarming to experience the love that they have shown. This means so much to us. We will forever be in the debt of those who have carried us thus far.” – says Marvin
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
Torsten Koehler (57), a testicular cancer survivor and author from Cape Town, founded non-profit organisation, Love Your Nuts in 2014, to create awareness around the ‘shy killer’, that affects 1 in 250 men.
Pictured above: Torsten Koehler, founder of Love Your Nuts.
Torsten was confronted with cancer in 1995, with no internet access, no support groups on social media and limited information, which made an already difficult journey even more isolating.
Torsten thankfully survived his cancer diagnosis due to early detection, and made it his mission to teach his sex education students in Namibia about cancer, as testicular cancer commonly affects men between the ages of 15-45.
“Men in general don’t talk about their feelings or their health, and for young men this is even more true. Young men often feel that they need to stand their ground, show they are strong and buy into the ‘men don’t cry’ fallacy. What I tried to do with my classes is to break the stigma around this taboo topic and shatter the shyness around testicular cancer”
Pictured above: Love Your Nuts talk at PechaKucha in Cape Town.
“My book ‘Love Your Nuts – Testicular Cancer touched my Life’ was released in 2004. Years later a past student who was 16 contacted me and told me that he had testicular cancer and that I saved his life. This inspired me to launch my non-profit a decade later” – says Torsten
For the past 8 years, Love Your Nuts has toured schools with their Cancer Smart School Programme and has reached over 34 700 individuals face-to-face at various events with their message.
Pictured above:Love Your Nuts challenges men to run in swimwear to raise awareness. This group ran the Cape Town Marathon.
“Knowledge and early detection are the best weapons against cancer. If we can educate our children early in their lives, the survival rate will be much higher. Changing the behaviour of young people by teaching them to look after their health will lead to a healthier next generation who will uplift their communities.” – says Torsten
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To transform their school program, which teaches children about various forms of cancer, into an educational gaming app, Love Your Nuts has partnered with The Centre for Community Technologies at Nelson Mandela University to develop an app prototype.
In need of R400 000 to begin phase one of the project, Love Your Nuts has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, in hopes to reach remote areas in South Africa and around the globe, where information and medical resources lack the most.
The end goal, Torsten says, is to save as many young lives as possible.
Pictured above: Love Your Nuts educating and raising awareness in rural South Africa.
“Funds raised will be used to develop a functional prototype that can help us secure support from larger investors, get legal advice to protect the rights of the children who will be using our app, consult with medical experts to revise the cancer information and to keep it up to date and cover the cost of testing and further development” – says Torsten
With initial support, 14 donors have already contributed R2400 towards the crowdfunding campaign, which is expected to have a tremendous impact.
Torsten speaks about the importance of early detection:
“With today’s technology, we can educate individuals about the significance of early detection of cancer:
It’s less pain and trauma for the patient.
It’s less of a financial burden for the patient (the majority of South Africans don’t have medical aid),
Bed occupancy in hospitals is shorter, which cuts costs for the government.
Treatment is shorter and a cost-saver for medical aid and government
If cancer is detected very early, in some cases, no treatment (chemo, etc.) is needed”
The goal of Love Your Nuts is to raise awareness of (testicular) cancer by educating communities about the rarely spoken about cancer that often remains undetected in young adults due to our diverse society in South Africa, where cultural taboos, stigmas and a lack of knowledge about the subject is widespread.
We support men diagnosed with testicular cancer emotionally. It is often easier to share thoughts and fears with a survivor than a family member or friend. Building a network of survivors nationwide/worldwide that support patients is an ongoing process. If you are a survivor and like to help, please get in touch.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
Andrew Jansen van Vuuren (39) an avid biker and boilermaker from Kempton Park, Johannnesburg was involved in a traumatic road accident in January 2022, which resulted in the amputation of his right leg from the knee down.
Pictured above: Andrew with his daughter Mekaila and his wife’s grandson, Baylin.
Despite undergoing 2 operations and facing many obstacles along the way, Andrew, a father of two, returned to work a month after his accident as he is the main breadwinner for his family. His fiance, Maria sadly lost her job, like so many South Africans during the Covid-19 pandemic.
To make ends meet Andrew and Maria run a weekend fast food business which operates out of their tuckshop at the motocross track. Always looking out for others, even in difficult times, the couple delivers leftover meals to those in need and has even given a homeless man a job and a place to sleep.
Giving Andrew a leg up
Unable to afford the cost of a prosthetic leg, Andrew used his mechanical skills to construct his own substitute leg that has allowed him to continue working, drive his car, quad bike and even ride his bicycle.
While his impressive innovation has made life a little easier, Andrew suffers severe pain on his stump and experiences strain on his joints.
Inspired by Andrew’s amazingly positive attitude to life, his remarkable will to succeed, his endless kindness to others and his selfless acts, a group of fellow bikers have decided to take on a fun charity ride to Lesotho this November to the Roof of Africa hard enduro race to give Andrew a leg up.
Pictured above: From the left Kyle, Grant, Sharky, Cwade, Andrew, Gavin, Louis, Dylan at the MX track in Kempton Park where Andrew runs his fast food business.
Travelling from Johannesburg to Lesotho, to the Roof of Africa on delivery bikes, the friends hope to raise R200 000 oncrowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to purchase a well-deserved prosthetic leg for Andrew.
The gentlemen begin their 1500km journey on 8 November 2022 and will arrive at their destination on 13 November 2022.
Since the launch of the campaign, almost R40 000 has been raised through kind contributions from 19 donors.
““Andrew has never let his situation get him down and always makes the best of every situation. For that reason we are taking the opportunity to turn our adventure into something meaningful and make Andrew’s life a little easier.” – says Gavin Naude, the main driver of the campaign.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
