Touring the country in tuk-tuks for charity
Seven 2014 matriculants from Ekurhuleni and their support team embarked on an adventurous journey of a lifetime recently.
Trevor Byrom, Ruan Brashaw, Lebo Mota, Brendon Crawford, Sebastian Julicher, Thomas Coward, Adrian Burger, Michael Greef, Miguel Couto and Ayrton Da Silva travelled 3 500km in tuk-tuks across the country, to raise money for the St Francis Care Centre, in Boksburg.
They charity initiative is named Project Colour.
Their journey started from the care centre on December 27, and ended in Cape Town on January 11. The boys travelled along lesser known roads, through Welkom, Ladybrand, the Garden Route and the Karoo.
Their journey led them to small towns like Prince Albert, Hertzogville and Harrismith, but also to large cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
According to the founder of Project Colour, Da Silva, the trip was not only about fun and adventure, but stopovers at charitable organisations and goodie bag drop-offs were also planned.
“The trip was inspired by a similar tuk-tuk race through India, in which competitors were required to raise money for charity,” he said.
“Tuk-tuks may be a common sight in Asia, but they’re only just catching on in South Africa. They are small and compact and have the tiniest of engines – glorified lawnmowers really.
“Other than a small roof, they are open to all weather conditions, so they are not usually used on long journeys.
“The quirky and novel looks of the tuk-tuks attracted attention wherever we went.
“By bringing the race to South Africa we endeavoured to make such an adventure more relevant, while raising money and creating an event that will provide a sustainable income for local charities for years to come.
“Seeing South Africa at such a slow pace forces you to see the beauty of the country – you pay attention to what’s around you.”
The boys were well prepared on the journey, armed with tools and spares to keep the vehicles running.
“When we arrived in Durban, one of the tuk-tuks broke down and we were left stranded – that must have been the lowest point of the journey. We managed to have it fixed after it was sent to East London for two days.”
Three tuk-tuks were used between the boys, but, while one was broken, the boys had to cram into the other two.
Da Silva said they love spending time with the little ones at the St Francis Centre’s Rainbow Cottage, and it’s not often that the children have the opportunity to indulge in rowdy and boisterous games, unless these matric boys come over to play.
This is why they decided to embark on this charity event in aid of St Francis.
“We chose the care centre because it is one of the smaller charities and doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves,” Da Silva explained.
”The centre is a true place of miracles.
“The boys all admire the late Father Stan Brennan, as he established it against enormous odds and was a stalwart anti-Apartheid activist.”
* The boys, friends for years, were matriculants at St John’s College, Bishop Bavin School, Beaulieu College and St Benedict’s College.
Da Silva, Coward and Julicher have all rowed internationally, while Brenden is currently in the South African swimming team.
“Michael is the geeky, but good-looking glue that holds the team together, Lebo is the clear comedian and Ruan is the tough guy who will take on tough situations,” said Da Silva.
The amount raised is still unknown.
Visit https://projectcolour.org/press/. – @IschkeBoksburg
