East London - Seven matric schoolboys are making their way around the country in three tuk-tuks to raise money for charity.
Since they embarked on their 3500km trip from Johannesburg on 27 December they have raised more than R100 000.
The group of “do-gooders”, all 18, arrived in Durban on Wednesday and reached East London on Sunday.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune about their epic journey, Ayrton da Silva, the founder of Project Colour, said the idea came from an event that happens in India called Rickshaw Ride.
“We were looking for an adventure to end off our matric year and the 3500km trip across India in rickshaws sounded perfect,” he said.
However, researching the trip, the seven, from four different Johannesburg high schools, brought together by school sports, found the costs were prohibitive.
Then Thomas Coward, another member of the team, suggested: “Why not do the same thing, but in South Africa? So, we started looking at the options.”
The idea grew and the group decided to start an annual fundraising adventure across the country.
“We were influenced by a book called Colour Blind Faith, the biography of an Irish priest, Father Stan Brennan, an anti-apartheid activist.
PHENOMENAL RESPONSE
“He set up the St Francis Care Centre in Boksburg and was a complete inspiration for us,” said Da Silva.
The group also received good news while travelling through Harrismith. They had written the Independent Examinations Board exams and each passed with exemption, meaning they could go to university. Their message to other matrics is to “work hard and take every opportunity that is presented to you.”
He said the response to the trip had been phenomenal.
“We have had so much support that even our accommodation along the way has been heavily discounted, or is free.
“After deciding to make it an annual event, we have had a staggering number of people coming on to the website and signing-up for next year, and so many donations. We’re at more than R100 000, which is unbelievable.”
The public had been intrigued by the tuk-tuk team, with cars often pulling over and photographing them, said Coward.
The seven are supported by a team that includes mechanics, safety experts and a video cameraman.
Although Coward and Da Silva were enthusiastic about the adventure, they admitted that it hadn’t all been plain sailing.
“We have had some issues along the way - on Tuesday we had clutch problems with one of our tuk-tuks - and it can be draining driving eight hours or more a day because the tuk-tuks cruise at about 50-55km/h. But the scenery is amazing and it gives you the chance to take it all in. It’s definitely the adventure of a lifetime,” said Coward.
Sunday Tribune