9Miles Project helps Laureus Challengers make every step matter
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Before embarking on their 100km trek through South Africa, individuals from around the world – united in the spirit of sport for good – jumped in the ocean, joined by young people from 9Miles Project, a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town that uses surfing as a catalyst to transform young people in coastal communities.
It was a refreshing moment for the group which included Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Annabelle Bond, Maps Maponyane and Schalk Brits, and enabled them remember the purpose behind every step they'd take over the next four days as part of the Laureus Challenge South Africa 2024.
“It’s always important to bring people to our space to understand our context and what we do and what we use to transform children’s lives, you people’s lives,” said 9Miles Project Founding Director Nigel Savel, who organised activities to give the Laureus Challengers a glimpse of the organisation's programming.
“We can give them the full picture of what we actually do, so that everything they’re about to do, every step on this Challenge will be more meaningful for them.”
Through activities on canoes, bodyboards and surfboards, together with the young people of 9 Miles, the Challengers understood just how 9Miles uses the ocean beyond competitive means, but a means to transform young people’s lives by providing safe spaces and structured afterschool programmes.
“It’s always important to bring people to our space to understand our context and what we do and what we use to transform children’s lives, you people’s lives,” said 9Miles Project Founding Director Nigel Savel, who organised activities to give the Laureus Challengers a glimpse of the organisation's programming.
“We can give them the full picture of what we actually do, so that everything they’re about to do, every step on this Challenge will be more meaningful for them.”
Through activities on canoes, bodyboards and surfboards, together with the young people of 9 Miles, the Challengers understood just how 9Miles uses the ocean beyond competitive means, but a means to transform young people’s lives by providing safe spaces and structured afterschool programmes.
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The Laureus Challenge team heard from a few of the young lives impacted by 9Miles, and witnessed the range of other impactful activities the programme delivers such as food provision, educational support, music and dance activities. The variety ensures a diverse, engaging and supportive environment that all encourages all young people to connect with the programme.
“The first day came I didn’t really surf,” said Giovanni, who’s been with 9Miles for five years. “The next years after that I’ve been improving, improving, improving. … I like the life skills lessons, for example the arts programmes which helped me improve my school work.”
“The first day came I didn’t really surf,” said Giovanni, who’s been with 9Miles for five years. “The next years after that I’ve been improving, improving, improving. … I like the life skills lessons, for example the arts programmes which helped me improve my school work.”
For me, I’m so passionate about the power of sport and what it can give, particularly to young kids, and seeing it in real life and the positive impact it has, is great.
“The outlet for our youth is different, (whether to express themselves) emotionally and physically,” Savel, as 9Miles' Founding Director explained.
“We started this programme with kids who couldn’t read, so we had to bring a literacy programme. Then we brought in surfing for physical fitness. It evolved as we went because we believe that there’s a gift and a talent in each and every child. That’s what you want to unearth, to activate their potential and discover their purpose, hence the many expressions we have today.”
“We started this programme with kids who couldn’t read, so we had to bring a literacy programme. Then we brought in surfing for physical fitness. It evolved as we went because we believe that there’s a gift and a talent in each and every child. That’s what you want to unearth, to activate their potential and discover their purpose, hence the many expressions we have today.”
The experience at 9Miles added to the motivation of the fundraisers. Yes, trekking four days through unpredictable weather, rugged terrain and encounters with unknown critters sounds daunting. But if the funds raised can help a programme continue operating and keeping young people engaged year-round, then those four days will transcend beyond them.
This year’s fundraising endeavour exceeded EUR 300,000 which will go toward the Laureus Mental Health Fund that directly contributes to programmes that use sport to meet mental health challenges among young people.
One in eight people worldwide are estimated to live with a mental health disorder. The latest Laureus Sport for Good Annual Review revealed that mental health is the fastest increasing issue amongst young people participating in Laureus’ network of over 300 programmes, across 42 different countries, including 30 programmes within South Africa.
This year’s fundraising endeavour exceeded EUR 300,000 which will go toward the Laureus Mental Health Fund that directly contributes to programmes that use sport to meet mental health challenges among young people.
One in eight people worldwide are estimated to live with a mental health disorder. The latest Laureus Sport for Good Annual Review revealed that mental health is the fastest increasing issue amongst young people participating in Laureus’ network of over 300 programmes, across 42 different countries, including 30 programmes within South Africa.
