Riaan Dohne has changed the lives of 20 kids by giving them the opportunity to become Hip-Hop pros. He surprised them with the best year-end party imaginable!
Riaan Dohne owns a gym in Westville, Durban and about 2-km away, there is an informal settlement. Every day, children and teens make their way past the gym, some would stop to see what the gym was all about or they would ask for food and water.
Riaan realised that these kids would really benefit from having something to do after school, so he got in contact with a dance instructor and set up a Hip-Hop class at the gym for the kids. For the last year, every Wednesday, a group of 20 kids would come to the gym to do a dance class. After the class, Riaan makes sure they have something to eat before they head home.
The classes have been a great success, the boys started to get their school reports for 2017 and they all passed their grades. Riaan decided to reward them with an exciting adventure. Taking them to see things they have never seen before.
“One thing I truly believe in is trying your hardest to create pockets of Heaven here on earth and to lead by love and to try inspire change in everything one does.”
“We were so blessed to be able to take our kids on an incredible day out.”
“They had no idea. We were just scheduled for a normal Hip Hop class at my gym but when they told me last week they all had passed their school year and were coming to show me their reports I knew we had to do something special for them.”
Thanks to the generosity of various people, Riaan secured a party bus to transport the boys to a lunch at Afro’s Chicken. The restaurant sponsored lunch to the boys. They were so excited by the treat but little did they know that the bus didn’t only stop there!
“The kids then performed a few dance routines on the beach front and then we head off to Ushaka and we went to the beautiful aquarium.”
“Something we knew our kids would be blown away by because it’s something they would have never experienced before… And they absolutely loved it. ESP the sharks lol”
After the day filled with new sights and excitement, they were ready to wind down but Riaan and his friends had one last surprise for the boys before heading home.
“We then made our final stop at McDonald’s in Berea where we were welcomed and looked after like you couldn’t believe, incredible hospitality and service from the Berea branch so thank you, Jennifer Hillier, for the Happy Meals for the kids.”
“They then did a final sunset performance at McDonald’s and then we took them back home.”
The day was greater than Riaan could have ever imagined. The boys were so excited and humbled by the day out.
“All glory to God for blessing these kids and giving us the opportunity and the people to bring hope into their lives.”
“Finally thank you to my love Rachel Brun for always supporting us and being there every step of the way and of course our main man HIP HOP Fitness with Dj Ziggy for inspiring and mentoring these young Champions like you do.”
“God bless you all.”
You can see their fun-filled day in the images and video below. If you would like to get involved you can contact Riaan via email rishapechallenge@gmail.com or on his Facebook page here.
Posted by Riaan Dohne on Friday, 22 December 2017
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