In six days I begin the trip of a lifetime...

I am being given the opportunity to spend six weeks volunteering at an orphanage in Cape Town, South Africa. While I am there, the local community will be hosting a charity challenge in which participants trek 80km along part of the Hoerikwaggo trail for three days, beginning at Cape Point and ending at the peak of Table Mountain (google it, it's beautiful). We will be beginning the hike on Friday, November 7th, and finishing up on Sunday, November 9th.

Below is a brief blurb on the origin of this fundraiser:

"Mama Lumka is affectionately known as 'The Wheelbarrow Lady' or 'The Wheelbarrow Saint'. She gained this title from the days when she used to walk through the township collecting children who had been abused and neglected, taking them to her own home to provide care. Mama now runs Ikhayalethemba Village Sanctuary.

This year's Charity Challenge walk is to raise much needed funds towards the ongoing running costs of Ikhayalethemba Village. This includes; food and cooking costs in order to provide a healthy balanced diet for the children, laundry and clothing costs which include such things as nappies, shoes and school uniforms, ongoing maintenance and repairs at the centre and general care for the children. The funds will also support training for the local staff in such things as First Aid and working with children with Special Needs.

The funds raised will enable the centre to operate effectively whilst Mama and her team develop a new funding model to continue the running of the centre."

Well, I do not know Mama, but she sounds like a pretty amazing lady. My guess is that she would never ask anyone for anything, so I'm here on her behalf asking for some help in giving back to someone who has done nothing but give for her entire life. I am beyond excited to get to South Africa and be a part of such a special program; if you would like to help contribute to this program in any way I think it is safe to say that Mama would be forever grateful. 

Bonus: I'll send you pictures when ("when", not "if") I make it to the top! :)

All my thanks and all my love,

Melissa