Higher Ground February 2010 Newsletter

We've all heard the story...a young boy standing on the beach throwing starfish, one by one, back into the water. A man stops to ask him what he's doing, why he bothers, since there are thousands of starfish all over the beach and he'll never manage to throw them all back in. The boy replies that for this starfish... and this one... and this one, it has made a difference.

I think we're a bit like that at Higher Ground. No, we will never get the chance to have every person with a disability in South Africa join us for a camp, but for every person that does come we believe and trust that it makes a world of difference.

This year we are aiming to reach even more people, through existing camps and new ones too. We trust that our programme of therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities (through camping adventures) will touch and change the lives of many. We aim to continue creating challenging, fun, memorable experiences that will be beneficial, both in the short and the long term, in peoples lives.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our extended network. Readers of our newsletter include campers, families of campers, volunteers, funders, friends and those that are simply interested in our work. Please feel free to drop us an email if you have questions about our work. We are also very willing to come to your school, club, service organisation or company to give a presentation on Higher Ground.

Past Camps:

We've been very busy at Higher Ground since our last newsletter. Camps have included:

Our now legendary Cape camp for adults who are blind or partially sighted. An amazing group of campers joined us, including two all the way from Gauteng. Wortelgat was once again the incredible venue for the camp and we took full advantage of all of the resources there: hiking to the isolated unspoilt beach and swimming in the icy waters, kayaking on the Hermanus Lagoon, trying out some archery, horseriding on mountain trails, relaxing around the campfire, getting to know new friends and enjoying delicious food and amazing company.

The Cheshire Homes, Chatsworth camp was once again generously sponsored by the Victor Daitz Foundation. It was an incredibly special camp. The children are so deserving and their sheer delight in every activity offered to them makes every moment of camp memorable and worthwhile. Highlights were the Circus Evening where children were entertained by the dynamic, creative, energetic volunteers and the Slip and Slide where the campers had a ball getting soapy and wet on a very hot afternoon.

Our annual camp for adults with an acquired brain injury is always much anticipated, both by us and by the campers. We were certainly not disappointed! It's not hard to understand why this is such a special camp. Amazing men and women who have lived through such interesting and challenging times, yet grab hold of life and make sure that they get the absolute most out of it. One of the exciting new activities added to the week's schedule was the game drive, picnic and swimming at Tala. A very big thank you to Tala Private Reserve for giving us free entry to the Reserve. We saw zebras, hippos, many buck and ostriches. It was a lovely day and since it was the hottest day of the year we had a great time cooling off in the pool afterwards. A big thank you to Alan McKay, Richard Flint and Martin White who drove up for the day to help with transport to, and around, Tala.

One of our other awesome annual camps just held was our camp for adults who are blind or partially sighted. We were again joined by an amazing group of interesting men and women from around the country (Cape Town, Grahamstown, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban). Ushaka treated us to another incredible day out; feeding the rays, getting to come up close with the dolphins, meeting some of the reptiles and of course loads of fun at the Wet and Wild Park. Thank you Ann and Ushaka for making this such a fun and memorable day. Tala also went out of their way again to treat our group to an official game drive. Simphiwe spent two hours taking us all over Tala in an open game drive vehicle and we learnt so much about the many animals that inhabit Tala Game Reserve. Afterwards we picnicked and swam at the Rock Pools. What a day! Other highlights of the camp were the many games of blind cricket, cooling off in the pool, awesome talent at the Talent Show and lots of time to enjoy the great company of so many interesting people!

Thank You:

A very big, heartfelt thank you to the following recent donors:

Paw Paw Foundation
The Edna Burford Trust
Not Just Computers
Westville Rotary Club
Linda White
Pinetown Rotary Club

We need you!

Please remember us during 2010. We need your support to keep going! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Higher Ground. You can specify how you would like it to be used or make an open donation which we will put to use in the area most needed. Your donation will ensure that we are able to provide life-changing opportunities to children and adults living with a disability.

Well, all that is left to say is have a Fabulous February and we hope to see or talk to you some time soon!

With kind regards
Emma
email:  highergroundsa@gmail.com



'Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.' Psalm 40:5

 

Date Added: 2010-02-11

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