6 000km, 6 countries on $2 budget a day

20 Aug, 2017 - 02:08 0 Views
6 000km, 6 countries on $2 budget a day Warren Handley and Tom David with some villagers that they met on their adventuresome journey

The Sunday News

Warren Handley and Tom David with some villagers that they met on their adventuresome journey

Warren Handley and Tom David with some villagers that they met on their adventuresome journey

Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
WALKING an average 50 kilometres a day to meet an excruciating 6 000 kilometre-target, two South Africans have embarked on an adventuresome yet life changing journey, which takes them from Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Their journey takes them through six countries, where they started at the foot of Kilimanjaro Mountain in the north of Tanzania and then walking southeast through Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and finally returning to South Africa.

The two Warren Handley and Tom David are undertaking this epic journey to heighten awareness about orphaned and vulnerable children, as well as the importance of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in rural communities across southern Africa.

The walk also seeks to raise funds to support orphans, where so far through their foundation they have raised $8 517, with their target being $100 000.

The pair was in Zimbabwe, where their adventure saw them walking through Bulawayo last week.

Warren and Tom are former The Lonely Road Foundation interns from South Africa, the foundation now known as Aluwani which was founded by Thabang Skwambane in 2007, after he completed an unsupported cycle of about 6 000km from Johannesburg to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and finished his journey by climbing the mountain.

His three-month journey, dubbed the Lonely Road Challenge was intended to symbolise the lonely journey that orphans and vulnerable children walk through childhood.

“This was inspired by 22-month-old orphan, Sello Moloto. Thabang met her in 2006 while she was waiting hungrily for food among 63 other orphans.

Thabang was told that, in the reality of their situation, Sello had to learn to look after herself. It was then that Thabang realised we should live in a world where our children are looked after, and that they should never have to walk that lonely road again,” said Petra Peacock, a representative of the foundation.

She said 2017 is therefore, the 10th anniversary of Thabang’s epic cycle and climb.

“Warren and Tom saw the 10-year anniversary as an amazing opportunity to build on what Thabang did to start the organisation and highlight both the progress and new challenges that have been discovered,” she said.

The two only carry with them equipment such as backpacks, camping gear, water and food among other necessities, while living below a $2 per day budget.

“While they acknowledge they do not fully understand the hardships of poverty, this is an attempt to make the experience as relatable as possible,” said Peacock.

Their walk is inspired by Thabang who cycled from Johannesburg to Tanzania, and then climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. He abandoned all luxuries and begged his way through this journey so that he could understand the lonely road that orphaned and vulnerable children face.

Having volunteered at Aluwani, Tom and Warren were able to get first-hand experience of the hardships that orphaned and vulnerable children endure. They have also seen that with a little generosity, organisations like Aluwani are able to empower communities with skills that allow them to care for the children of those communities, and lead sustainable lives.

“The first few years of a child’s life are the most crucial. Like Thabang’s journey, Tom and Warren’s walk is not just a symbolic mission but a physically and mentally stoic commitment to ensure that no child ever has to walk through life alone. They hope to raise significant funds and awareness for children in the early stages of their development,” said Peacock.

She added: “The beneficiary, Aluwani, strives to capacitate rural communities through effective skills development and training particularly in Child Care, as well as Business and Entrepreneurship, so that the community can move from surviving to thriving, and is able to create an environment conducive to happy childhoods.”

Tom and Warren began their journey on the 1 April this year and only managed to pass through Zimbabwe on 5 August. Their journey began at the Marungu Gate in Marungu, Tanzania, and ending at Sandton in Johannesburg, South Africa.

During their walk, they aim to engage with rural communities in each of the six countries they will be walking through, to highlight the importance of Early Childhood Development.

Warren Handley Age: 24

Education: Bachelor of Business Science, Honours in Marketing from the University of Cape Town. Born and raised in Cape Town, he went to Bishops and later UCT.

“I have developed a strong sense of adventure and a passion for travel, however, Cape Town will always be home. With a love for South Africa comes a desire for change and social equality, resulting in a strong interest in social change. In my spare time you’re likely to find me on the mountain or in the ocean. Mondays are my favourite day.”

Tom David Age: 23

Education: Bachelor of Commerce. Majoring in Economics from University of Cape Town.

Also born in Cape Town and went to Bishops and after matriculating went on to UCT.

“Being raised in Cape Town has allowed me to fall in love with everything that nature has to offer. In my free time I love nothing more than heading up the mountain to see a new view or tasting sea water all around the coast. I have a passion for seeing new things and especially meeting new people.

Living in South Africa, I have been exposed to a lot of social injustice and that has forced me look at making active steps towards social equality not only in South Africa but the rest of the continent and even the world.”
@peterkmatika

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