Gina Hinchliffe (55) an animal lover from Glenwood, Durban will be embarking on her 27th Comrades Marathon on 28 August 2022, dedicating her mammoth milestone to an incredible cause.
Passionate about Brighter Future Sanctuary Project, a non-profit organization that advocates for animals, Gina, a dog mom of two, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to raise R15 000 to sterilise at least 18 animals in rural areas.
“My passion and love for animals is what inspired me to take on this journey. If I am going to run, which I can, then why not run with a purpose. Sterilisation is important as it prevents unnecessary breeding and reduces the number of cats and dogs that land up unwanted and as strays.” – says Gina
Gina Hinchliffe is ready to take on her 27th Comrades for a worthy cause.
Since the launch of her campaign, Gina has raised over R11 000 with kind contributions from 16 donors.
“I would like to encourage the public to adopt, not shop. There are so many ways you can show your love for animals, take a fur baby home with you, support my cause and help me make a difference!” -says Gina
Since taking on her first Comrades in 1989, Gina has won 14 Bronze, 9 Vic Clapham, 3 Bill Rowans medals.
“What I love about the Comrades is the anticipation, the training and preparation, pounding the pavements with my daughter, husband and friends. With our busy lives, I treasure these moments.” – says Gina
“The day of the marathon is even more exhilarating. The spectators and supporters mean so much to us runners. I can’t wait to take on this leg of the Comrades and knowing I’m doing it for ‘man’s best friend’ is very fitting” – says Gina
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 R344 Million.
To assist you in raising funds, our team has put together guidelines to make your crowdfunding journey a little easier.
A short, beautifully written, emotive and informative campaign message connects with donors.
Crowdfunding campaigns with a short video message tend to raise 4 times more funds.
Reaching out to family and friends first can help you raise 220% more funds.
Your crowdfunding campaign will be 5 times more likely to succeed if you share it on social media.To learn how to share your campaign effectively on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram read more below.
Joanita Smit (46), a counsellor from Boksburg, Gauteng, is on a mission to dismantle the stigma around sexual abuse, advocating for mental health, with her counselling practice under the Sm;tten Love Foundation.
Joanita’s story
At the age of 16, while attending a friend’s birthday party in Fleurdal, Bloemfontein Joanita was gang raped by a group of 4 teenage boys from a neighbouring school, when she went to change out of her swimsuit once the get-together had ended.
“For many years I could only remember snippets of that evening. I remember the door opening as soon as I took my bikini top off. I remember feeling embarrassed, thinking that the boys entered the room by mistake.”
“The realisation of what was about to happen became apparent when one of the boys put his hand over my mouth and told me to ‘keep quiet’. I can still smell the scent of his ‘Brut’ deodorant even today.”
“The ordeal lasted minutes but felt like hours. I tried to remove myself mentally from the situation, as I was physically overpowered. The boys took turns violating me without my consent, and left as if nothing had happened when the ‘fun’ was over”
Gathering her emotions and her composure, Joanita got dressed, washed her face, and pretended that nothing happened. She helped her friend clean up the bottles and balloons from the party, and then finally left to go home.
Afraid to ask for help, out of fear she wouldn’t be believed, and the judgement she would face, Joanita didn’t tell her parents or anyone about her sexual assault.
Unable and unwilling to tend to her psychological wounds, Joanita buried her trauma and suffered devastating consequences when her pain resurfaced later in life.
Struggling with mental health
The remnants of that fateful evening Joanita says, affected her self-image, and her trust in people and weighed heavily on her mental health.
“Since the age of 18, my journey with mental health started. I struggled with depression but in those years, it was a topic that was not spoken about. At the age of 24, I tried to take my own life by overdosing on depression medication. Luckily, I was found in time and lived to share my story with the world.”
“It took me a long time to realise that the things you do, say or feel are a result of extreme trauma. It took years for me to forgive myself as if I deserved what happened to me because of what I was wearing.”
Working with a psychiatrist at the age of 32, was a positive turning point for Joanita, who is successfully being treated for Bi-Polar Disorder 2, Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia, PTSD, OCD and High EQ today.
“Through therapy and medication, I got my life back and discovered how uneducated people are about mental health. I made a promise to myself to be an advocate for all the people suffering and all the victims by breaking this stigma.”
A new course
When Joanita closed the doors of her primary school after 15 years due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, she decided to take a short counselling course to offer pro-bono mental health assistance to sexual abuse survivors online.
“I believe that the trauma I experienced planted the seed for my passion to help others, it’s the source of the compassion and empathy I have for the struggles of others. It’s the reason I advocate for those who have been abused and why after so many years I can tell my story.”
Realising the need for therapists in South Africa, Joanita has decided to broaden her studies and become an advanced therapist, to provide therapy for:
Gender-based violence
Mental Health Disorders
Phobias
Eating Disorders
Substance abuse
Bereavement
Youth issues
Needing to cover the R16 000 shortfall needed to begin her studies, Joanita has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to appeal to the public for support, so she may use her talents to help others.
Joanita would like to urge readers who have been sexually assaulted to seek help, and to break their silence, so others will know that they are not alone and that their perpetrators will not have the opportunity to hurt others.
SA Women Fight Back is a community of united women who network to bring about legislative change and support for all women and children in South Africa.
Through non-violent, collaborative engagement, the organisation lobbies to combat gender-based violence and hold government and other authorities accountable for the safety, empowerment, equality, and justice for all.
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 raised over R344 Million.
For over 30 years, non-governmental organisation, The Gift of the Givers has served humanity unconditionally; assisting all of creation, irrespective of race, religion, colour class, political affiliation or geographic location.
“Our mission is simple: we react immediately to restore dignity to the most vulnerable affected by disasters.” – says Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of the Gift of the Givers.
Partnering with crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, on the anniversary of their 30th celebration of serving humanity, The Gift of the Givers, is calling upon mankind to make a difference, restore dignity and provide hope to those who need it most.
“It fills the BackaBuddy team with immense pride to be associated with The Gift of The Givers – a homegrown, world-class organisation that will remain a beacon of hope for generations to come” – says Catherine Du Plooy, Chief Operations Officer at BackaBuddy.
If you would like to support The Gift of the Givers, and the incredible work they do to uplift South Africans, and citizens from across the globe, consider making a donation in their honour.
“Best Among People Are Those Who Benefit Mankind.” – says Dr. Sooliman
Support the Gift of The Givers by making a donation 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 R344 Million.
From a young age, Ethan Palagangwe (11), a talented singer from Mitchells Plain, Cape Town has been drawn to music.
Inspired by his songstress mom, he could often be heard around the house, singing songs by his favourite musicians such as Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.
“Ethan started singing around the house at the age of 8. When he started singing for our friends and family at gatherings, we realized that he has a God given talent that we needed to nurture.” says Ethan’s mom, Candice.
The Palagangwe family from left are Cade, Kagisho, Ethan, Candice and Kaycee. Picture: Plainsman
When Ethan’s parents saw that the prestigious Drakensberg Boys Choir School in Kwa-Zulu Natal was having an open call to auditions, they signed him up, in hopes that he would be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to sharpen his singing skills and receive a world-class education.
Performing one of his favourite songs, “Ben”, by Michael Jackson, Ethan soaked up the spotlight and was one of only 30 students, out of 1600, to receive an acceptance letter to enrol at the private school.
Unable to cover the cost of his schooling, which amounts to approximately R 175 000 for his first year, Ethan’s parents launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy that has thus far raised over R113 000.
With support from 48 donors both locally and internationally, Ethan has been able to attend the prestigious Drakensberg Boys Choir School in KZN and has been excelling in his studies.
“Being accepted at the school has also driven him in aiming high and to excel in all the academic and social activities that are being offered at the school. I am pleased to say that despite all the challenges he and his parents have faced, he still gives his best to achieve academic excellence for himself.”
Unfortunately due to the unforeseen Covid-19 pandemic, many of the individuals and businesses that pledged to contribute to Ethan’s education have experienced financial hardship, leaving Ethan’s family with over R53 000 in outstanding school fees.
Unable to come up with the funds, Ethan will, unfortunately, need to return home to Cape Town and put his dreams of becoming a singer on hold.
“We as a family have witnessed Ethan’s personal development, education, and musical growth to be phenomenal, and we would not want to deprive him of this chance. Since it is mid-year and amid the pandemic, many schools are restricting their enrollment, so we are in a tough position to secure Ethan a new school.”
Update about Ethan’s progress:
Ethan is currently in his second year at the world renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir School. He is in Grade 6 and continues to flourish in this fast paced environment, where hard work, talent, discipline and team work culminate to create magic in the form of the most beautiful music. He worked hard to complete the gruelling New Boy Programme and earned his “Concert Status” in August last year.
Ethan has proven to be a true Drakie, his energy and passion makes him a pleasure to watch perform, his face lights up the stage and his natural rhythm makes you want to jump up and dance. He has fully entrenched himself in all the school has to offer, seizing every opportunity, be it academically, in the sporting arena or in the music field. Ethan is thriving at the school and loves to be surrounded by the majestic mountains, he loves hiking, swimming in the rivers and mountain biking – on the bike he was gifted by a fellow pupil.
Ethan comes from a very humble background, his Father Kagiso, works in law enforcement and his Mother, Candace works as a teachers aid. His hard working parents want the best for their son, the sacrifice they make to ensure that Ethan is given every opportunity to achieve his full potential is enormous. They need the continued financial support to ensure that Ethan is able to stay at the school that is recognised as a National Treasure.
Ethan successfully auditioned to be in the Schools latest music video “Butter”. “Butter” was released on the 15 July and was filmed in Umhlanga, Ethan was given a solo part and viewers got to see some of his slick dance moves!
As a fellow parent at the school, we would love to help the Palagangwe family. Any financial assistance you are able to offer this young man would be greatly appreciated.” – says Megan Dittberner
*As per the campaign creator’s request, funds raised will be paid directly to the school*
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 R260 Million.
