Sport has the ability to change lives. Both trail runners and cyclists have made a difference in the daily lives of children along the route of the KAP sani2c mountain bike race.
KwaZulu-Natal South Africa (8 March 2020) – The renowned 263km three-day mountain bike stage race KAP sani2c is helping to make sure that 2000 needy children have a bowl of porridge each morning at school. The sani2c starts in the Underberg area of KwaZulu-Natal and meanders to Scottburgh on the South Coast, traversing farm and tribal lands as well as game reserve.
Along the mostly rural route are many villages and small towns where extreme poverty is common, and being of assistance to these communities has been a key focus of the sani2c from its start in 2005. Dairy farmer Glen Haw founded the sani2c to raise funds for the farm school that his children attended at the time, and as the event grew to one hosting over 3000 riders over 5 days, this original intention has evolved with the event.
The sani2c Community Development Trust was formed and has a vision to sustainably improve the economic wellbeing of previously disadvantaged communities living along the sani2c route, by empowering the youth by providing improved levels of education and upskilling the community members.
In its latest initiative, the KAP sani2c has since last year partnered with the Southern Lodestar Foundation to increase the network of schools where a bowl of porridge in the morning makes a big difference to a child’s day.
The Southern Lodestar Foundation was founded by trail runner Andre Redinger, who, when contemplating his nutrition needs as a runner, gave thought to the fact that so many school children struggle to concentrate at school because they are hungry. The foundation now provides porridge to 21 768 children every day and is growing this network exponentially as funding for the porridge and logistics becomes available.
As an ultra-distance runner, Ryan Sandes, board member and CEO of the Southern Lodestar Foundation, knows how crucial good nutrition is to success.
“In trail running, you cannot get far without good nutrition. I can only imagine what these children go through daily, not having access to food.”
“For us, partnering with the KAP sani2c has enabled us to extend our network to a group of schools, we would struggle to access otherwise. Both through the relationships they have and with the logistical assistance, we are happy to be feeding a further 2000 children each morning as a result of this initiative.”
Brenda Mingay is a teacher at Goxhill Primary School in the Himeville district, a recipient of the programme since August 2019.
Related Story
She says: “We feed about 70 of our pupils every morning and it makes a huge difference. Nutrition is so important when poverty is such a big factor, and we are very grateful for the generous donation each month.”
Grade 6 learner Xoliswa Hlangebi says: “Some days I am not eating breakfast that’s why I am eating the porridge. I love it, and it gives me energy, and it makes me healthy, and it makes me participate in class.”
Tamika Haw is the daughter of KAP sani2c founder Glen Haw and is now one of the main organisers of the event.
“We are so fortunate to have this partnership with Southern Lodestar Foundation. The huge benefit it has had on the children’s lives is amazing. The changes the teachers have seen in the children’s concentration levels have been mind-blowing. They are all so grateful to the foundation, and it has also assisted us in strengthening our relationships with all the communities along the sani2c route.”
by 