Waves for Change helps kids rediscover themselves
SURFER kids from Duncan Village and Parkside will be riding one of the best waves in the world with top surfers from around the globe at the World Surf League in Jeffreys Bay this week.
The team of about 50 children from impoverished communities around Buffalo City Metro were selected through their respective schools to be part of the therapeutic Waves For Change programme.
The programme, which boasts an impressive background in swimming coaching and administration, has been praised for transforming the lives of the young participants who were at first perceived to have behavioural issues.
Waves for Change founder, Tim Connibear, said at the East London launch this year that the programme builds trust, respect and communication skills in children who have experienced trauma like abuse, neglect and violence by teaching them to focus on something positive.
Yesterday morning the excited team demonstrated what they had learnt over the past six months, with the guidance from their five surf coaches, ahead of their departure as part of the Waves For Change roadshow to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay over the next two days.
Connibear said yesterday he was impressed with the impact the programme had made in the lives of the young children.
“The feedback has been amazing. The children are much more calmer and have been commended for being more productive at school. Their confidence has been boosted and they are more at peace with themselves.
“The free surf therapy service is there and available for anyone who needs it, but our biggest challenge now is transport. In the Western Cape, we have other corporate companies supporting us and sponsoring transport, but in the Eastern Cape we rely on MBSA. If more corporates can come on board, children who need the therapy stand a better chance of coming to the seaside.”
Connibear said the roadshow would allow the children to engage with others and get to see surfing professionals in action.
The programme is affiliated to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
Foundation chairman, rugby legend Morne du Plessis said this was one of 22 projects the foundation is running in the country and of 150 in the world across many sport codes.
“Waves for Change won the Sport for Good Award last year and is doing very well across the country,” he said.
Du Plessis also announced that former Springbok rugby captain Corne Krige would be the new ambassador for the programme.
The foundation handed over 11 bicycles sponsored by Qhubeka and Dimension Data to help the programme with transport.
MBSA corporate affairs manager Feliciano Janneker said the project is a culmination of a joint partnership.
“We are proud to be part of the project and we know we can grow from strength to strength,” he said. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za