Sixty-five times four equals 5710…?
Don’t follow our arithmatic, follow our example!
A group of German visitors has been coming to Plett regularly for about two months annually for the past decade.
Four lady members of the group happened to turn 65 last year and decided to celebrate together in their favourite holiday destination. So a big poster was unveiled reading ‘200th Birthday’ (sounding far nicer than ‘260th…’)!
The ladies did not want any presents, but requested that money should rather be collected for institutions locally supported by Ocean Blue Adventures for the past 14-odd years, one of these being Siyakula Crèche in Bossiesgif.
“If you want to improve the situation of the disadvantaged, you must do something about education,” says one of the merry temporary Plett Germans, Dr Klaus Busacker. “And as everybody knows, you should begin as early as possible.”
He explains that they realised kids start attending these crèches when they’re but a few months old, “so nappies are always needed”.
The clever fundraising ploy involved taking photos of Siyakula headmistress Nokwezi Mdatyulwa and her helpers, who provide the kids with regular meals daily. These were passed around at the party to make the message real.
“Beaming children’s faces are always a great purse-opener!” chuckles Klaus.
The 65th combo birthday party raised a total of R5’710, enabling the kind tourists to buy all Siyakula kids a T-shirt, while the rest of the money will go towards the ever-present nappy requirement (currently for 34 babies and tots).
And Klaus says his compatriots enjoyed their celebratory food and drinks all the better in the knowledge that they could share the joy with kids in need – so in the end the plan benefited all parties involved.
“There are many other groups travelling the Garden Route regularly, so why not copy our idea?” suggests Klaus. “If you want to make sure that every single Rand reaches the people who need it, contact Tony Lubner or Charlie Lilford or any of the Ocean Blue staff at their Central Beach office.”
Source: CXpress