From baby steps to giant strides

Writer & Photographer: Elaine Davie.

What started off as one individual’s initiative to bring about meaningful change in a poor Overstrand community, has grown organically into an increasingly inclusive and holistic development project.

Proportional Councillor, Charmaine Resandt had for some time been concerned about the conditions under which many people in the suburb of Mooi Uitsig in Betty’s Bay were living and wondering what she could do to bring about a sustainable change in their circumstances. She had already been approached by a community mover and shaker called Louise Plaatjies, whose idea was to start a soup kitchen for the needy residents, especially the children. But where would the money come from for the food?

In her spare time, Charmaine is a power walker and she loves to walk in and around beautiful Betty’s Bay. Stepping out one day in February this year she suddenly had a light bulb moment. “All at once, I knew how I could combine my love of walking with fundraising,” she explains, “so I took to Facebook and asked if anybody would be prepared to sponsor me at R10 per kilometre.

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