Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Delft kids find hope in dance and aerobics
BALLET dancing and aerobics lessons have brought joy and a sense of comfort to Delft kids.
The sport was introduced to the vulnerable children by Lauren Louw, 22, who encountered it in 2017 while she was still at Rosendaal High School. She never looked back and fortunately met kind-hearted people who identified her talent and supported her until she made it to the national and international competitions.
The gymnast has now ploughed back, hosting free aerobics training for 25 young girls at her home.
She said it’s a combination of gymnastics and acro ballet which requires flexibility, balance, posture and body lifting. She said it offered many opportunities too.
Tamika Hendricks, 15, said she was glad Louw introduced her to the sport.
“She doesn’t just focus on dancing, but teaches us general life skills. My self-esteem has improved and I can now confidently compete at different
levels and comfortably interact with everyone, unlike before when I used to be shy. Ms Louw also keeps us busy so we don’t get involved with the bad things happening in our communities.”
Riley Peterson, 10, said: “I don’t spend much time in the streets, I come to the dance sessions and have a good time here. I have developed so much passion and inspiration, and I see myself competing in big competitions just like her. I would also like to go overseas one day and I am excited for her to come back and share her experience with us later in the year.”
Louw, who is fund-raising to represent South Africa in the Aerobics Fitness World Championships in the Czech Republic in November, said it is her biggest dream to uplift young people, not only within the sport but also in life.
“Growing up as a kid in Delft made me see things differently. I want to
implement what I do within my community, teach youth and young ones about the sport.
“They all steal my heart in many different ways. We all can somehow relate because we come from similar households either affected by drugs, fights, police raids at your house and so on. What breaks me is some of them talk about these things with no emotion, they think it’s a norm and that we will never get out of this trap.”