Meet your Red Frogs for Rage 2015!
ShowMe Plett had the privilege of interviewing and getting to know Mike and Matt from the Red Frogs. Read the interview below:
So guys, how many frogs do you have?
We currently have 35 volunteers here in Plett and around 200 in 5 different locations country wide.
Do you have any interesting/funny stories to tell me?
As the red frogs we do run into a lot of people outside of rage and once recognised we get told things like: “You saved my life! Thank you, we love you man!” and that is ultimately what we are here for – a safety support and a friend.
One funny story we have to tell you is the one that took place in Plett Rage 2014. We had a young drunk girl come to us asking persistently if we had seen her friend, which we hadn’t, yet she kept asking. After about 10 minutes, this girl’s friend called to her from her car – she was completely sober, unlike this girl. This girl ran off to her friend and started a conversation that went something like this:
“I’m drunk and you’re not, that means I drive and you must walk” – Her friend tried to correct her but, to no avail, this pointless conversation went on for about 5 minutes, eventually, one of our red frogs got her into the car, still sticking to her guns in who should be driving the car.
What made you guys decide to do this?
Mike – I went to an all-boys school and was always surrounded by guys constantly trying to prove themselves, you know things like, who can drink the most and I think rage is a very similar situation. What made me start is the passion to lift people up and help them celebrate their achievements and keep them safe at the same time.
Matt – For me, this whole initiative is about relational currency, there is only ultimately currency that is priceless and that is the importance of relationship. We as the red frogs build relationships with these students in their celebrations, we visit them in their rage houses and make pancakes for them. We continue this friendship not only during rages but also at Universities where it is likely that we will see them again and see them blossoming into their new independent life.
Are you all from the same place or from across the country?
We are from most of the university areas, PE, Cape Town – we are all students either at Stellenbosch, UCT, etc…
How does one get involved?
If you have a vision of changing lives through love you can apply by visiting our red frogs website and submitting an application there.
What would you like to tell the matrics of 2015?
Enjoy celebrating the end of your school career, but celebrate it safely, make memories.
If you are stuck in a sticky situation or just need to call someone; the red frogs are just a call away – that is why we are around.
Here are a few tips:
- Girls wear sensible shoes, closed if possible!
- Make sure to eat and keep hydrated throughout the day
- Bring an old cellphone, something that you can just make calls from – have an emergency contact on speed dial.
- When you arrive at your accommodation please remember to read the house rules
- If you see anything breakable or valuable in the house, put it away immediately so that it does not get broken or damaged.
- Make sure you have food sorted out for the Rage period, sort it out amongst yourselves before the party begins.
- Download the Group Connect app and add your friends to a group. If you are lost, this app can help you identify where your friends are – this app also has an SOS feature. This will also help us as red frogs to find your friends if you can’t.
Download it here: www.getgroupconnect.com – ITS FREE
Do you have any sponsors?
We do have a couple of sponsors, which we are so grateful for; we have the Plett Shell Ultra City and Steers Plett helping us out so much and are also sponsored by:
- Jam Clothing
- ER24
- Red fern
- Cartoon Candy for our red frog sweets which are custom made!
Our sponsors are amazing!
If any of you are wanting to help the red frogs, visit their website here to find out how you can help or donate. http://za.redfrogs.com/support
What is your overall feel for rage? What do you think of the overall charade?
Before Rage, we go around to different schools and give ‘Party Safe Seminars’ and what we generally say to them is that it is awesome to celebrate this time in your life, but be responsible about it, be safe.
We understand that this is a potentially vulnerable week, which leaves this space open for us to help them to make healthy decisions.
Does the name ‘Red Frogs’ have a specific meaning?
The Red frogs name actually originated in Australia, where the red frogs originated. We were named after Allan’s red frog sweets.
The founder of red frogs, Andy Gooly picked up a bag of these red frogs and used them as a conversation starter and that is how it all began.
What is something that most people don’t know about the red frogs?
In South Africa, we started off in Durban on one Kombi and 7 volunteers, shuttling people to and from clubs. At that point we had not discovered the red frogs and fell under the name ‘Beach house’.
Once we discovered red frogs, we became affiliated with them and now we have coverage over 6 different locations.
Another thing that people don’t know is that we are not a shuttle service, but if there is an emergency, PLEASE don’t hesitate to call.
The most unknown fact about the red frogs is that we don’t only exist during rage, we pride ourselves in building relationships and maintaining them for years on end.
One thing we love is going back to varsity in the New Year and seeing the people you met during rage and from there build your relationship further.
What is your overall goal/purpose as the red frogs?
Our ultimate goal is to build a foundation and do the groundwork for future generations of red frogs and teaching them to prioritise relationships – and not only the red frogs, but everyone.
Our focus is not changing the party environment, but changing lives by helping people to make healthy choices.
Rage is a particularly vulnerable week, which we have mentioned before, and this is what we are there for, to build friendships and celebrate your achievements with you!
What is the most important thing about being a red frog?
The most important thing about being a red frog is the passion of love. The red frogs need to have a clear and unified definition of love and what it is.
They need to understand the importance of relationships.
How can people get hold of you?
There is a 24/7 number that people should save to their phones and use in case of emergency or even if you just need to talk – 060 733 3764
Do you have any advice for first time rage parents?
It really isn’t as bad as you think. There is a page on our website that will answer all your questions and put your mind at rest.
What is the most common question that you get asked as a red frog?
- What is in this sweet? The answer is Sugar.
- Why do you do this? Because we love you guys and want to be there during this celebration.
Thank you very much to the Red Frogs Mike and Matt for taking the time to answer these questions – don’t forget to check them out at Rage and follow their updates on Facebook!
Click here to visit their Facebook page