In just 2 months the first Bikers 4 Kids trip was planned, scheduled, organized and undertaken. Just over a full week from 17 September to 25 September eventually spanning 1 400km, including stops in Centurion, Danville, Bronkhorstspruit, Witbank, Middelburg, Belfast, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, Tzaneen, Kotishing Village, Pietersburg, Potgietersrus, Naboomspruit, Nylstroom and Vaalwater.
The youngest beneficiary was just a few months old and the oldest a lady in her 90’s. Children from various cultural backgrounds received brand new toys which they chose themselves from a catalogue. Some schools had jungle gyms re-painted, a frail care centre had door frames painted, some schools received plates, food, kitchen appliances, etc., some schools received communal swings, chess sets and plastic balls and some schools participated in “boeresport”. All schools received the same message and were entertained by Marcel Caroto.
The week was never about anything but helping and carrying the message to South Africa’s future that every single child is special and very important to the future of our country. The Bikers 4 Kids were welcomed with open arms in all the towns. We stayed in school hostels, local lodges and in total strangers’ house.
To think of individual highlights after such an amazing week is difficult. Highlights that spring to mind include a trip to the Mbombela Stadium where the Nelspruit Community Forum and Mpumalanga Leadership Forum assisted in having a fun day with the Coca-Cola stage, hot dogs and coke’s to all the children, the Steelwings Harley Davidson Nelspruit Bikers sponsoring the toys and a radio interview about the Bikers 4 Kids on Jacaranda RMfm with Marcel Caroto.
Itereleng Primary School in Kotishing Village (Pietersburg) also contributed to life long memories with a show on offer to the Bikers 4 Kids.
The friendly Annaline in Tzaneen, Anelle in Phalaborwa and Jenny and Allet in Nelspruit also made the trip memorable. The shop owners of the Mall@Reds shops that became involved with the week at short notice also deserve a special mention.
Lessons were learnt and few new ideas for future trips have already been discussed. Dreaming big for the children who in some instances have forgotten what it meant to dream will however never cease to be part of the Bikers 4 Kids mentality. Anyone who missed out on this experience of real ubuntu will never truly understand what a privilege the week was. But it is never too late to make sure you join the future trips.