Day 4 on the Castrol Magnatrek Family Family Edition revolved almost entirely around a little school named Kuierkidz. Situated in the town of Hartebeespoort Dam, the school provides intense one-on-one education for children with mental disabilities. There are only nine kids who attend the classes, giving some of them a chance to return back to the mainstream schools. Some of the children suffer from different levels of autism while others have disabilities that even the doctors are struggling to name.
With a budget of R12 000, the teams all had to work together around a theme and create a party that will rock their tiny little worlds. It’s called Make life smoother for someone else and there were no points and scoring involved, but this time the teams had to do all the organising and coordinating themselves.
As it turned out, these contestants are a well-connected bunch. Half of them have a contact somewhere in the area that donated food, stationary, juice and even Build-a-Bear soft toys. We found out that Jurie from the Super Humans miraculously knows how to make balloon animals and he got roped in to play Castro the clown. In the end, with all the entertainment, food and drinks sponsored, the money was spent on buying the school a flatscreen television and fans for all the classrooms. They even found a sponsor for two computers and a printer.
From scratch, the bare little playground got transformed into an underwater world of fun. The crew got assigned to cut out and colour in a heap of fish and they even enjoyed being shunted around for a change. The teams went out to buy splash pools, swim suits for the children, colourful balls and bath toys and you could see on their faces when they arrived that this was the absolute best idea for a party.
We splashed, we played and we laughed, many hiding behind their sunglasses to not show the tears in their eyes.
The event only lasted for two hours, but it felt like a day had passed when we left the school and headed for Lesedi Cultural Village, our accommodation for the night. And even though the kids don’t realise that they’re disabled and they assume they’re just being treated to a party, it was the parents and caregivers that got a chance to sit back, knowing that their child is having an incredible time. Parents and caregivers also received a little present and one of the crew got a donation for plants that they can enjoy back at their houses.
It’s never easy having to leave after such a beautiful day and just return to our normal lives – not that life on the trek is anywhere near normal – but we were all impressed with how the teams managed to get so many donations that they could buy the school a few things they truly needed. They even set up a Facebook page for Kuierkidz as they had no presence on the internet before. It’s still small, but you can go like it here. They showed the principal how to post photos and make updates, so perhaps in this way they’ll get their name out.
The school needs to relocate in the near future, and seeing as they’re a non-profit organisation, they need all the help they can get. If you live in the area and you’d like to show your support, visit their page to get in touch.
There is only one day left on the Castrol Magnatrek, and with no scored challenges taking place today, it’s going to be intense. At 16:00 we’ll know which team walks away with R100 000, not something to be taken lightly. Tune in to the afternoon drive programme on Jacaranda FM to listen to a live crossing of the winner announcement.
To get in on the action, you can follow the teams on Twitter or find @Magna_Trek or @JacarandaFM. I’ll also be tweeting (@Adelgreen) from here. If you’re in the Gauteng surrounds and you spot the Magnatrek convoy (it’ll be hard to miss) tweet us a picture.
Watch the video below and answer the question at the end to stand a chance to win one Vusalela Izulu Small Heaven Full day Spa valued at R1 230.00
If you’ve missed out on some of the trek excitement, click here to read the previous posts.
Castrol Magnatrek day 4
Lesedi Cultural Village
From the moment you arrive, you’re transported into a Zulu world. With people in traditional wear dancing and singing to welcome you ‘home’. Instead of a reception area you have a mini African market and shebeen and the traditional-styled huts are grouped in clumps to create the feel of village life. Yet you still live in luxury, with DStv in the rooms, large, comfortable beds and a wide array of meal choices. Visit www.lesedi.com for more information.
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