Tough challenge to raise awareness of kids with autism

SEEKING to raise funds to help his autistic son and promote awareness about autism, Port Alfred dad Ralph Kirsten and his good friend from Namibia, Hardy Hofmeister, are undertaking a sponsored walk from Port Edward to Port Alfred, a distance of over 600km.

Noah Kirsten is three years old and has been diagnosed with autism. One in 68 children are diagnosed with autism or an autism-related disorder.

Kirsten and Hofmeister want the walk to symbolise the life that Noah and all children with autism face – “a long and difficult road”. They will walk unassisted, camping wild and carrying everything they need, making it a challenge and a test. They estimate it will take about three weeks to complete, covering around 30km a day. They started their walk on July 1.

Currently the Eastern Cape has nothing in place to assist or support children on the autism spectrum; they are often left at home with no chance of therapy or an appropriate education.

There is hope, but it has to be paid for, a teaching methodology based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). The Star Academy would like to open a school in the Eastern Cape, but they need to raise awareness and visibility of the issues to get enough clients to fund the project.

They are also looking for people to train to be ABA therapists in Port Alfred. If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity, please contact Mary-Jo Kirsten on 081-501-1199 or If you would like to support Ralph’s Autism Awareness Walk, you can donate online at