WALKING FOR THE KIDS
The Midlands laid out the red carpet for a teacher from Johannesburg, who is walking from Sandton to Durban to raise money to rebuild two flood damaged schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
Dale van Blerk spent time in Mooi River, Rosetta, the Karkloof and Howick last week as part of his journey, which started on January 4.
He was hosted by the Midlands Meander, The Rosetta Hotel, Nguni & Aloe at Linga Lapa and Rocklog Farm.
While in the area, he also got the chance to have a bit of fun at the Karkloof Canopy Tour and met with uMngeni Mayor, Councillor Chris Pappas, at the municipal offices in Howick. The municipality paid for his accommodation at a B&B in Howick.
Van Blerk, who is undertaking the walk to help Dawede Primary School in Kloof and St Nivards in Umzinto, wanted to do something tangible to help after seeing the damage caused by last year’s devastating floods.
“I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing,” he said. “On seeing the devastation that the floods had caused, I knew I had to do something to help these kids and the residents of the area.”
Mayor Pappas said it had been a pleasure to meet Van Blerk and to help him on his journey to the coast.
“We hope that our small contribution towards the project will help lead to much bigger opportunities for others,” he added.
Van Blerk, who trains teachers in the use of new technology to help make teaching easier and give them opportunities to reach even more students through online teaching, completed his 600-kilometre walk at Dawede Primary School on Monday.
In a video posted on Facebook, he said he had received an ‘amazing welcome from the kids and principal’, but was saddened to see the devastation caused when a river of flood water swept through the school.
Sharing images of the damaged buildings, which one year after the floods, have not been repaired, he told his supporters that they would rebuild the school.
“We will build a new school for these kids,” Van Blerk added. “I am excited to fix this up and give them something new and some hope. Thank you once again for your support.”
If you would like to make a donation to the cause please use the following banking details:
BVB Group
First National Bank business account
Account number 6300 6550 502 BVB Group will furnish a NPO certificate for company and individual support which is tax deductible.