The Anna Foundation, an Absa Cape Epic official charity partner, has been founded on its 3Rs programme: reading, running and right-ing.
Now it has added a fourth R: riding.
This week the foundation opened its first cycling pump track on Buffet Olives farm in Paarl, one of many Anna Foundation venues in the Western Cape.
The pump track – a short course with bumps and banked corners – was built by the 36 children who attend the foundation’s “after school” on the farm. They laid foundations and then helped develop the track under the guidance of Eckhardt Kühn, activities manager at the neighbouring Cascade Country Manor and an accomplished mountain biker himself.
The youngsters were also given six new BMX bikes at the launch, and were soon taking them for spins – and a few spills – around the track.
“The bikes are a ‘carrot’ and the children understand the rule: No Read, No Ride!” said Anna Foundation director, Anna Brom. “Our learners know that they have to show responsibility and pull their weight in terms of completing school work, after-school attendance and attitude before they will be allowed on the track. The bikes are a tremendous incentive to the children in the rural communities in which we work. There is little to do on the farms, and sport can be used to make a significant difference in lifestyle and behaviour change, and also provide both hope and purpose. This will be a chance for them to learn responsibility, accountability and have goals to work towards as they will have the opportunity to train towards MTB events.”
“The farm’s children – from Grade R to Grade 12 – all helped to build the track and have made it their own. The amount of energy and hard work they put in was way beyond all expectation.” said Buffet Olives’ farm manager, John Scrimgeour.
Besides education programmes, the teaching of life skills through drama, sports and physical development plays a significant part in the 3Rs Programme, which is implemented in the afternoons on farms and at rural schools throughout the Western Cape. According to Brom, “This is the first pump track and we aim to duplicate this project on many more sites!”
She thanked the Absa Cape Epic for “joining hands” with the Anna Foundation and said the relationship had played a significant role in the decision to offer the cycling facility to the children.
Kühn will supervise the Anna Foundation Bike Project and will coach the children every Friday afternoon.
Among guests present at the launch on Thursday were marathon and off-road stage race specialist, Adriaan Louw, current South African Junior Downhill champion, Coenie Slabbert, and staff from the Absa Cape Epic.
For more information go to www.annafoundation.com
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