Life can be overwhelming when we look into the vast landscapes of the world around us and see how much need there is. Rural KwaZulu-Natal, particularly areas like the AmaZizi Valley, faces high levels of multidimensional poverty, affecting children’s access to essentials like nutrition, sanitation, healthcare, and early education. With 75.8% of children in the region experiencing such deprivation, and most living in households with limited employment and resources, there is a critical need to focus on education but there are many ways to support the children and help break the cycle of poverty.
Nutrition and education are powerful agents of change but we love a wonderful story that helps uplift and inspire a community. We have been very fortunate to have Charlie Forbes and his family visit us at The Cavern. Charlie is from the UK and he’s been participating in Parkruns since he was four years old, completing 130 runs! On his visit in 2024 the family decided to join our local Parkrun at Cannibals at 08h00 on the Saturday morning.
Lizzie began the Parkrun at Cannibals many moons ago and she has hosted 484 events to date. There have been 17,139 finishes with an average time of 00:35:10 for the 5km trot. The magnificent views of the Amphitheatre and the 270 volunteers have made this morning a success and many of the local children join weekly. And many arrive without shoes to participate.
When Charlie joined the Parkrun at Cannibals he noticed this immediately. Many children had broken shoes and many more did not have shoes at all. His mum says; “We really wanted to do something for the local community to promote health and well-being and allow every child that wants to run that opportunity“
Back in the UK Charlie established a charity, Run2Renew, collecting used trainers, but still with plenty of life left in them and running kit, which he brought out this year. He collected over 100 pairs of trainers and lots of kit and on his first trip back to the Drakensberg he was able to bring 50 pairs of those trainers and plenty of running clothes.
At the Parkrun, Lizzie helped organise the children, the kit and the trainers and they were donated to the participants.
We need plenty more Charlies in the world! When we see a need and act it brings not only joy to the children receiving but it inspires so many of us too. Thank you Charlie for leaving the world just a little bit better.
