09/08/2019
This is a story from Jean Ellingson that really reaches out to me !
‘’’ On 16 June 2019 we had a bus accident with the only transport available that we used from a local church. The bus unfortunately can not be fixed.
I work with previously disadvantaged children from Duncan Village, East London, South Africa.
When I first started with our Champions Christian Community Center project and our Champions Rowing Club project the children believed that nothing good came from Duncan Village and that they were nothing and would amount to nothing. It has been a long four year struggle with many obstacles along the way. We are in the process of registering as a Non-Profit Organisation.
Currently we do not have transport. I am not able to coach or travel with the children to where we need to be. The children walk 7 km to get to the river to row and then they have to walk back in the dark through extremely dangerous areas to get back home. We have had two athletes stabbed while coming to rowing. The girls cannot come to practice because of the risk to their personal safety. I need transport to get them to the river to row.
Our current urgency is for transportation up to Pretoria in September. Some of our athletes have been invited to a High Performance Rowing Camp for SAJCRA. They will be given the opportunity of being coached and seen by National Coaches.
This last season was a testimony of miracles. We did not own any boats or equipment but the children came back successfully with medals.
They are dedicated, hard working Champions who want to achieve their very best. I would like to give them that chance! ‘’’. End of story and back to my post :-
I (Andy) am going to South Africa in December for 10 days to do some coaching and learn more about the amazing and courageous work that Jean Ellingson does !
I have donated some cash and if anyone feels for these people - this would be a good place to lob in a quid or two 😀😀. If you do so, please let me know.
When I come back, I hope to be able to share the story a little more with you all 👍
On 16 June 2019 we had a bus accident with the only transport available that we used from a local church. The bus unfortunately can not be fixed.