We travel to South Africa every year and spend some time in a little town called Alicedale in beautiful wild Africa. It's over an hour from the nearest town. We spend time with some very close friends, Eli and John who run a lovely guesthouse called Addo Reach. We got involved with the little creche in the township through Eli's influence.
A mini hurricane hit Alicedale December 2013 and the crèche and it's roof was seriously damaged. There should be funding to run the creche from the Dept of Social Development but unfortunately there is never enough funds and the creche had not been able to pay for insurance. Calls went out for help to repair the serious damage throughout the buildings and the damage to the container used as a kitchen to cook for the little ones. Eli sent out an SOS to her friends and guests. Some of the local business gave materials but without the generous cash donations for her SOS to do the the repairs this miracle would not have happened. The creche is helped by a wonderful man called Ricardo who gives his time freely though his own kids no longer go there. He and other locals help to run the creche. Oft times, the stipend from the Dept of Social Development is not paid for three months and this means the teachers are not paid, there is little money for food for the children.
We give where we can but for all the brilliant work Ricardo and his helpers do there is so much more than needs to be done. The fences are in a poor state and the pigs and goats that roam the township get in to the play area. and needless to say leave their little messages. I'd like to raise enough to put up new fencing and generally improve the conditions at the creche. Without education these wonderful little people have no hope.
On 21st of May I'm 60 and running/walking the Chester 1/2 marathon to raise money for the creche. I'd be so grateful if my friends to donate towards the creche instead of gifts for me. Thanks for reading this.