Ramcat Fishing hosts a ‘fintastic’ fun day
According to the initiative organiser, Yster Smal, the local event began in 2008 as a means of helping injured veterans.
ONCE a year, the non-profit organisation called Ramcat Fishing, which is made up of a group of retired military veterans, provides members of the disabled community with an opportunity to fish and enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment. This year, the event was hosted at the KwaZulu-Natal Cruise Terminal on Sunday, April 23, where Ramcat volunteers helped their guests bait, cast, reel in catches and release them back into the sea.
According to the initiative organiser, Yster Smal, the local event began in 2008 as a means of helping injured veterans. “When we were called to serve back in the day, some of my fellow military men were injured in the war, so we started Ramcats, hoping to help them and do something to lift their spirits,” said Smal.
After some time, word of the event spread throughout the Durban community.
“Soon, we were getting calls from other disabled persons who were interested in participating, and so the event grew,” he said.
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“It is such an awesome feeling. Their lives are a daily challenge, and to talk to them and hear that this project has made such a huge impact on their lives is humbling. I have, however, learnt that the true heroes are their caregivers, the mothers, grannies and sisters who selflessly give so much time, effort and love,” he said.
Smal said that the Ramcat Fishing Group is like a community. “We are a circle of friends that take care of our friends with disabilities. We were conscripted soldiers, and some of our friends were injured in the line of duty. They landed up in wheelchairs, and every time we went to visit, we would ask what they needed. The biggest need was to get out of their rooms. If you take them out to a shopping centre, they go home more depressed because they are the only one in the crowd who can’t walk. After the fishing event, we talk to them, and they always say then that they didn’t know so many people care for them,” said Smal.
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Smal says he was thrilled to see how big the group of attendees is getting. “This year’s event went exceptionally well. I had comments from everybody saying that they thoroughly enjoyed it. Our next one will be next year, probably around July,” said Smal.
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