Raised on stories of adventure and exploration, Ryan Jacobs (35) from Gardens, Cape Town, has set himself an ambitious new year’s resolution: to become the first person of colour to row any ocean solo, in an attempt to break the World Record for the furthest row of 5030 Nautical Miles.
The daring voyage across the Atlantic will begin in Cape Town and end in Barbados, taking approximately 100 days to complete.
“My vivid imagination as a child, and now, have allowed me to go wherever, and be whomever, I dreamt of. From working as a photojournalist in conflict zones in Libya, Syria and Palestine, to making an Atlantic Crossing on a sailboat, to climbing El Capitan in California – adventures have guided me through my life.” – says Ryan.
This expedition has two main objectives, Says Ryan:
“One: I want to see what I’ve got. How far can I go? The call to press on and adventure harder grows stronger and louder each day. It started as a whisper in childhood, and now, it is deafening.”
“Two: We need, and have to, address the lack of representation and diversity. I do not see myself represented in the outdoors or the adventure space. Where there is a lack of representation, I choose to be it. To me, representation works in two ways: to give people like me an example of what they (we) can do and be. And I believe it is also important for everyone to see what people like me can do.”
Many drops can fill the ocean
In anticipation of his row, which will begin in December 2022, Ryan has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, hoping to raise R500 000 with community support, to make his historic dream a reality.
Funds raised will help Ryan purchase an epoxy ocean rowing boat built by ocean rower and master yacht builder, Wayne Robertson, estimated to cost R500,000 ($35,000). If possible, Ryan would like to have the boat designed locally, to represent the spirit of South Africa on the waves.
Additional funds will help Ryan purchase the navigation systems and gadgets he will need to guide his way, and survive on the water. (Estimated to cost over R200 000)
Since the launch of his campaign over R15 000 has been raised towards his fundraising target of R500 000 with initial contributions from donors both locally and abroad.
“Come on the adventure with me – follow me, support me, share in my adventure. But also, choose to assist me in making the opportunity to change the narrative and to be the representation that is non-existent.” says Ryan
While donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated, donors who contribute R3800 ($250) and above will have their name printed on the side of Ryan’s boat, which he has affectionately named “Dala”.
“I know I’m going to die one day, I don’t know how much time I have. So I’m going to see how far I can go, make the most of myself. There are systems in place that I can’t abide by, I’m not going to talk about it or explain why, I’m just going to do it. It’s my dream, and if I can inspire others, that would be great! I’m out to get it. To push, to be more. Dala what you must” – says Ryan
Support Ryan’s campaign by making a donation here:
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 R290 Million.
Image: Jarrad Ricketts – Credit: Clayton Morar Media
This festive season many families will find themselves gathered around a hospital bed of a loved one diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disorder in need of a stem cell transplant, instead of the Christmas table.
At any given time, 200 South African patients are in need of a stem cell transplant, but many simply can’t afford the costs associated with the procedure.
To ease the financial burden of these families, the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) has again launched their Give A Little Save A Life campaign on BackaBuddy, with the aim of raising R300 000 for their Patient Assistance Programme this year. These funds will be used to cover the cost of donor recruitment, donor searches and related medical bills.
Kamiel Singh, Head of National Operations and Sustainability for the SABMR says there are currently three patients on the registry’s Patient Assistance Programme that are in urgent need of financial assistance.
“Every case that is referred to the SABMR is treated with the utmost urgency to ensure that a patient has the best chance of survival.
“Right now, we are trying to assist an 11 year-old girl from Cape Town with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia; a 55 year-old woman from Gauteng who has Myelodusplastic Syndrome and a man, aged 69, also from Gauteng, who has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Your financial donation can help give these patients the second chance they so deserve,” he urges.
Kamiel Singh
This festive season, SAMA-nominated singer-songwriter, Jarrad Ricketts and his wife, Kim-Lee, have become advocates for stem cell donation and will be encouraging supporters to donate while challenging many of the myths around the process.
The famous musician says he was surprised to learn that people of colour are grossly underrepresented on the registry.
“It made me realise how much education still needs to be done to break the stigma around stem cell donation. Hundreds of South African patients die every year from blood related diseases, in many instances related to a shortage of mixed ethnicities, black, coloured and indian donors.
“Annually the SABMR has more than 200 patients on the waiting list for a stem cell transplant -50% of them are of colour, like me. It’s time that we question our reluctance to be involved and focus on the impact we can have on someone’s life.
Jarrad Ricketts and his wife Kim-Lee are on a mission to support the SABMR this festive season
“Disengagement from the donation process directly harms our communities. We need to be part of the registry more so than anyone else. When someone from a coloured, black or Indian community needs a bone marrow transplant, we struggle more than anyone else.
“My wife and I have pledged our commitment to the SABMR by registering as donors and I’d like to encourage all of my fans to do the same. If we all do our bit, just think how many lives we can save.
“C’om, let’s be someone’s tomorrow this Christmas,” challenges Ricketts.
The need for coloured donors
According to the SABMR, the coloured community are the least represented on their registry.
The breakdown per ethinic group is as follows:
Coloured – 7.9%
Asian /Indian – 9.9%
Black – 10.1%
White 66.5%
For people of colour the odds of finding a donor match is 1 in 400 000, which needn’t be the case.
Donate to the SABMR’s Give a Little Save A Life campaign:
Jarrad and Kim-Lee Ricketts will be appealing to the public via social media to boost donor sign ups and to raise much-needed funds for the SABMR’s Patient Assistance Programme on BackaBuddy. Follow them on @jarradrickettsent and @sabonemreg.
Connect with the SABMR
The SABMR (NPO) was established in 1991, motivated by the concern that although bone marrow transplants were a life-saving treatment option, they were only available to patients with a matching donor in their family. Today, the SABMR searches both locally and internationally for donors, thereby making collaboration with international registries and observing universal standards of practice essential.
To date, the SABMR has helped save the lives of over 550 patients with life-threatening blood disorders by matching them with healthy, unrelated bone marrow donors from South Africa and the rest of the world.
According to SABMR, Sustainability Portfolio Manager, Kamiel Singh, there are currently only 74 000 donors registered on the site to cater to over 57 million South Africans.
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 raised over R290 Million.
After discovering hungry children in his community three years ago, Joshua Roos (12) who lives with his grandmother, Manda, in Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape, was inspired to start his own soup kitchen to feed the vulnerable and support various charitable institutions.
As Joshua and his grandmother get by on her disability pension, together they launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to better serve their community by providing food parcels to young children and the elderly during lockdown.
Since the project’s launch in June 2020, donors both locally and abroad have contributed over R24 000 towards his fundraising target of R50 000 to expand the soup kitchen and feed hungry tummies. Donate here.
Like most businesses, Joshua’s soup kitchen was tremendously impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with it being difficult to gather donations to continue helping the less fortunate.
To keep his dreaming alive, Joshua has had to think of other alternatives by starting his own Jalapeno Product Range by smoking various types of meats, and with the profits gained from this venture, he donates it to various causes that’s close to his heart.
Since Covid19 started it has been a real struggle to gather donations to continue to help the less fortunate which has been his dream (A dream which has no end) as everyone has gone through their own difficulties, that’s when Joshua started his own Jalapeno Product Range together with Smoking various meats and with the profits gained from this venture he donates it to various causes that’s close to his heart he wishes he is able to have at least once a month a day where he is able to give a hot meal to the less fortunate people around the community. Whilst all this has been going on granny’s health has also been deteriorating but still try to help where she can to enable his dreams but sometimes she is not able to. He has a project up his sleeve for the 16th of December for about 60 kids and everything is coming out of pocket as funds are very low at this point.
As funds have been slowly coming in, donations towards his cause and dream are still welcomed on his BackaBuddy page here.
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 R290 Million.
The Gift of the Givers Foundation, established in 1992, is the largest disaster response, non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent.
It works to unite people, with a common vision, to make a real and telling difference by serving mankind for the ‘Greater Good’.
Since its inception, the organisation has been responsible for the delivery of life-saving goods and on-the-ground support for innumerable people, collectively valued at some R3.2 billion, in more than 43 countries across the globe, including South Africa.
Fundraising on BackaBuddy
Since 2017, The Gift of The Givers, has partnered with BackaBuddy to support a number of worthy causes; fire relief efforts in Cape Town, protecting citizens and medical practitioners during the COVID-19, as well as feeding and sanitary projects.
To date, the beloved organisation has raised over R4 million, with the generous support of over 2300 donors on BackaBuddy.
Photo above: Patrick Schofield- CEO of BackaBuddy, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman- Founder of Gift of the Givers, Catherine Du Plooy- COO of BackaBuddy and Ali Sablay- community liaison officer of Gift of the Givers.
Lend your support
Support Healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic
The Gift of The Givers is issuing a call to action to all South African citizens, private & corporate, individuals and companies, to come together and support the medical staff and facilities on the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic.
All donors are eligible for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by The Gift of the Givers
Raise funds for the Gift of the Givers foundation
On BackaBuddy, members of the public can raise funds for a non-profit organisation of their choice by pledging their birthdays, participating in cultural and sporting events, or simply creating a profile to ask friends and family to donate to a cause that they are passionate about.
In 2021, Dr Sandy Inglis from Pietermaritzburg, participated in the Freedom Challenge, a 26-day non-stop mountain bike ride from Pietermaritzburg to Diemersfontein, and raised over R76 000 to support The Gift of the Givers Educational Interventions.
Launch a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign with your own fundraising goal to support The Gift of the Givers by clicking here
Need help setting up a fundraiser for the Gift of the Givers Foundation?
Reach out to our charity team for advice and assistance.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The Justice Desk (TJD), an award-winning South Africa human rights non-profit organisation, has launched an awareness campaign as part of 16 Days of Activism, which features “16 voices for 16 Days!”
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on the 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until the 10th of December, Human Rights Day.
As an organisation that focuses on “Promoting the Power of Everyday Activists”, TJD believes in the power of ordinary people to effect impactful and lasting change in their communities.
TJD’s campaign will feature and amplify the thoughts, reflections, voices and suggestions of incredible individuals on their website and through their various social media platforms throughout 16 Days of Activism.
The 16 voices are made up of representatives from NPO organisations and foundations such as the Kolisi Foundation, SaHarvest, The Embrace Project, Women Lead Movement, Langa for Men, The Uyinene Foundation and Girls against Oppression. The voices of well-known celebrities such as Zolani Mahola, and TJD’s Goodwill Ambassadors Marco Spaumer and Craig Lucas will also be featured, as well as our partners The Waterfront and notable business leaders such as Jon-Foster Pedley and Pumela Salela. Various community activists from Justice Desk projects such as girl survivors of rape and young boys actively fighting against GBV will also be featured.
During this period, the 16 chosen voices will be taking on the role of thought-leaders in the GBV space, ultimately discussing the ongoing gender-based violence crisis our country is facing, how action must be taken, how activism can be used as a tool for change, as well as other suggestions for how we can successfully combat gender-based violence in our lifetime.
“Challenging gender-based violence is a collective fight. There are so many incredible people who have a voice and a way forward and we must listen. We can no longer work in silos, but must be encouraged to share our ideas, passions and plans of action.” says Jessica Dewhurst, the CEO of The Justice Desk.
Through this campaign, The Justice Desk not only seeks to raise awareness of our GBV crisis but also hopes to bring people together, inspiring one another to recognise the incredible power that South Africans have when we come together for change. By amplifying these 16 remarkable leaders, they hope to inspire others in contributing their own thoughts and voices, uniting in solidarity and raising awareness to the important fight against gender-based violence.
“It is not the job of just some of us to end gender-based violence, it is the job of all of us – and we cannot be successful unless we all play our part, not just during these 16 Days of Activism, but 365-days a year!” continues Jessica Dewhurst, the CEO of The Justice Desk.
From the start of the 25th of November, support The Justice Desk and their “16 Voices in 16 Days Campaign” which will raise vital awareness towards combating gender-based violence, but most importantly, inspire others to know that they too can be a part of the change.
Partnering with BackaBuddy, The Justice Desk has launched a crowdfunding campaign to invite the public to support two of their flag-ship projects, aimed at eradicating Gender-Based Violence.
The Ntsika yeThemba project aims to end Gender-Based Violence by equipping a generation of positive male role modelswho challenge toxic masculinity and GBV and promote equal rights and justice for all!
Through various positive role model encounters and mentorship initiatives and the use of outdoor adventure-based education, young boys from township communities, many without fathers or father figures, are being empowered to become incredible leaders and agents of change.
They are reshaping, redefining and re-building positive ideas and actions of masculinity.They are being taught how to respect one another, respect women, understand consent and be a part of building a free and equal country for all!
Ntsika yeThemba: “Pillars of Hope, Defenders of Women & Leaders for an Equal Society”!
Your donation will make it possible for these young boys to access:
Empowerment Workshops: Our young boys are equipped through various lessons and skills development sessions, such as training on gender-based violence, human rights education, consent, and gender norms.
Mental Health Support: The boys are supported through mental health resilience development and workshops, such as guided meditation, yoga, journaling, and reflection. They also attend regular trauma counselling.
Outdoor Education: Exciting and innovative activities such as obstacle courses, team building, hiking, camping, and nature exploration are used to build an environment of teamwork, brotherhood, and learning.
The Justice Desk’s Mbokodo Club Project focuses on offering empowerment workshops, mental healthcare, and self-defense programs to girl survivors of gender-based violence and rape.
The young girls we work with are between 9 and 19 and come from vulnerable communities such as Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Langa and Bonteheuwel.
The project focuses on equipping young girls to lead their change, become community leaders and join a network of women supporting women within underserved communities and townships.
Our young girls can achieve this because of the quality services and education at the Mbokodo Club.
Your donation will make it possible for these young girls to access:
Empowerment workshops: Our heroes are empowered through various lessons and skills development sessions, such as training on gender-based violence, human rights education, sexual health, leadership development, public speaking, body image, and self-confidence.
Mental health support: Our young girls through mental health resilience development and workshops (such as guided meditation, yoga, journaling, and reflection). The girls also attend regular trauma counselling.
Fitness and self-defence: Specialised fitness sessions are run with our young girls, including boxing sessions and self-defence classes, which build their overall confidence and fitness levels.
Pictured above: George has sold ice cream on the beach for 43 years
George Phontshe Peni (71) from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, has made an honest living selling ice creams, whilst capturing the hearts of Bloubergstrand residents and beachgoers for more than 4 decades.
‘Uncle George’, who is an icon in the community, is affectionately known for his kind-loving nature, warm heart, and patience. Come rain or shine, he can often be seen peddling his bike to support his family.
Demonstrating random acts of kindness, George is known for giving out free ice creams to children who are short of change for a treat.
“Uncle George about a month ago gave my grandson- aged 2-ice cream for free, as I did not have money on me and he said a child should not go without ice cream. I could not believe the kindness and warmth of this man. Later on, we paid him back, however, his gesture had no price”, said one Instagram user.
As George is getting older, business has become a bit slower than it was in his golden years.
Due to financial struggles, George sometimes misses an opportunity to sell his ice cream on days when he can’t afford the travelling costs to and from his home.
He also lacks the strength to ride his bike, and rather pushes it alongside Babalwa, a family friend determined to help keep George’s small business and dream alive.
Pictured above: George in the golden years
A sweet friendship
Having lived in Blouberg for over a decade, Michelle Nel (32), formed a special friendship with George, despite their different backgrounds, age gap, and a language barrier.
“When you see an older person almost every other day working with the commitment and contentment of George, you cannot help but take an interest in their story. The more I saw George, I couldn’t help but envy his equanimity in the simplicity of his lifestyle. It’s like he figured it out, you know.” – says Michelle
Pictured above: Stopping for a scoop, Michelle visits George
Hearing his stories, she eagerly took notes, hoping for the opportunity to one day share his story with the world. But sadly, as it often happens, life and work took over, and the loosely translated tales of his life were misplaced.
Picture above: George Phontshe Peni captured at Bloubergstrand
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
A few years later, the unexpected happened: In need of taxi fair to get home one day, George showed up on Michelle’s doorstep out of the blue, with no knowledge of where she stayed.
Feeling a sense of divine intervention, and listening to her inner voice urging her to take on a cause greater than herself, Michelle knew it was the right time to tell George’s story and see if her community would help George get back on his feet.
With a suggestion from her husband, Regardt Nel (38), Michelle decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy with a fundraising target of R50 000, hoping to surprise George with a pension fund to support him and his family in the long term.
Watch George’s campaign video
Reaching out to neighbours, and posting on community groups, Michelle was blown away when the campaign soon reached over R70 000, with the support of 193 donors, each sharing heartwarming interactions with George over the last 43 years.
“My kids are 18 & 20 now, in their toddler years they’d run after George with great excitement & he’d always patiently wait while they made their ice cream choices. More than happy to contribute.” – Lorna
“My little Elli who’s 11 now got many free ice-creams as a baby when our nanny used to sit & chat to him at the beach – I’ll definitely support him thanks” – Lou
“Grandson was rewarded with a free ice cream for helping George lift his bike up the ramp at Kleinbaai thanks, good idea.” – Estelle
Pictured above: George proudly holds a sign with all his donation messages
‘The spirit of Ubuntu is alive’
Having helped set up a banking account for George, Michelle’s hope is that he will have an easier life, and have the means to fix his home and buy furniture.
“Thank you to the Blouberg community, for all you have done to echo the impact George has had to you. While he didn’t ask for us to do this for him, I know, by seeing his face as he reads through your donation comments that he is grateful beyond words. The commitment and love you have shown, proves that together we can make a genuine change in people’s lives.” – says Michelle
Thank you to the 193 incredible donors who supported uncle George thus far
Michael Zastron | Gaynor Rusford | Merwe Erasmus | Kim Fortuin | Miss dawes | Ida Pretorius | Sacks Lona | Michelle Rossouw | Claire Celliers | Robert Brent | Ross Jean | Nicholas Wulfse | Danielle Van Staden | Elke Kiehm | Nicolette Copeman | Helena Hutton | Jo-Ann Joffe | Bianca Seery | Xavier Dabrowski | K Fortuin | Vaughan Parvess | J Kervarrec | Samantha Schmidt | Wayne De Nobrega | Lynn Swanepoel | Trevor Venter | Sylvia Althof | Anne-Marie Learmonth | Ayesha Adams | Sonia Fattah | Rowan Whelan | Gabi Weck | Vicki Oosthuizen | Joanne Brits | Samantha Smit | Lauren Grornewald | Koba Molenaar | Luca Graziani | John Nicolson | Bridgette Daries Anon | Gaary Andrew | Ilze Raubenheimer | Dirk Tolken | Kerry Gordon | Amelia Hayes | Northing Vanessa | Karen Lambert | Kendal Warren | Liezel Maree | Sharon Stockdale | Michelle Els | Hilton and Lou Roos | Elizabeth Botha | Susan A | Barbara Moscicki | Sesona Matiso | Peter Leon Goosen | Joan Beattie | HC Easom | Busisa Ellen Dyosi | Amanda Biddle | Mario John Van Der Merwe | Jonathan Towers | Kim Germishuys | C L BILL | H A Edelkraut | Astrid Cadle | Laurie Ben yair | Lili Potgieter | N M Van der Walt | Annie Kok | Janine De Ponte | Ruth Paulus | Liezel Van Wyk | Renette GERBER POTGIETER | SHANE LAWRENCE | Celeste Moos | Tharien Potgieter | Anke Smuts | Chantal Muller | Lc Redding | CAM Williams | Jonathan Stokell | Marcelle Barry | Ranulf Lucas | Chantel Scholtz | Avril April | Cedric Franz | Yvette Rowland | Adeline Swanson | Ilona Du Plessis | Giuliana Cockcroft | Gerhard de Beer | Iris Taani | Lisa Nicholls | Lee John Serafin | N Abader | Willem de Lange | Anne Mann | Bryan Botha | Emma Neisius | Rachelle Seymore-Mackay | Lynette Alexander | Jennifer Graham | Brenda Barber | MARK VIRTUAL | Michele Viljoen | Pumza Bara | Elsie Pool | Vega Hall-Martin | YW Carr Alchemy Services | Carmen MC Gregor | Xandrie Cockrell | Elma Jooste | Jade Duncan | Nicole dos Santos | NV Munsamy | Laanie Allan | Loren Shapiro | Nuraan Ramos | michelle terblanche | Denise Drew | Melanie Hertz | Teresa Lavagnino | Andrea Bodill | Brendon Wilson | Wendy Vadivellu | Benay Mermer | Dhansukh Gajjar | Mecarla Lewis | Blia Yang | Chantelle Arpesella | lauren purdon | Tracy Sterley | Carolien Saayman | Stephane Favre | Don Bekker | Jean Droste | Chantelle Hall | Stephanie H | Grant Watson | Miss Mika Enslin | Leila Coetzee | Kenita Rabilal | Craig Melnick | Paul Reyburn | Adeela Rahbeeni | KR Meijer | Roche Denholm | Stacey Wolpert | Pilisa Matyholo | Tracey Belelie | Elsa M Taylor | Lauren Van Schaik | M Louw | Elina S Iordanova | Sue Wright | El-Maree Van Zweel | Maria Pretorius | Bridgitte Moores-Pitt | Alice Morrison | Lesley Gutsche | Cedric Edwards | N Getley | Claudia Baker | Peter Grainger | Heinrich Robyn | Adriaan Van Niekerk | Liezel Kotze | Collin Soogrim | Doreen Bruss | Lindie Henning | Gwen Robinson
