THE Queensburgh Sports Club was a hive of activity recently, as Operation Bobbi Bear held a fundraiser in support of their work. The organisation asked the community to donate household items, including groceries and cleaning products, or to make financial contributions to the cause. Alongside the collection was a Taibo class for the community to join, as well as a few stalls set up by local companies that had collected items for the home.

Carika Zietsman, who has worked with Bobbi Bear for seven years, told Queensburgh News that the organisation caters to vulnerable children who have been victims of rape and abuse.
“These days, we don’t just focus on rape and abuse but issues around suicide and self-harm, as well. We offer counselling and try to help everyone,” she said.

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Currently a home to 11 children, Bobbi Bear has a long list of expenses to consider.
“We have 11 children on the property now as we don’t have suitable families for them to go to. We don’t receive government funding. It’s the community that keeps our doors open,” said Zietsman.

She added that funds raised cover running costs of the home, including utilities, groceries, household cleaning products, medication and fuel costs to transport children to and from school.

Taibo instructor Madelaine Van Zyl of Taibo Create Body, hosted a two-hour Taibo session at the fundraiser.
“Taibo is a form of exercise similar to kickboxing,” she said. “I offered the class to anyone in the community who was willing to hop, skip and jump for two hours to give back to Bobbi Bear,” she explained.

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Van Zyl met Zietsman about a year ago through a fundraiser, and she has been supporting Bobbi Bear through her Taibo classes ever since.
“We didn’t have a very big crowd [on Saturday], but those who came brought so much – we were overwhelmed by their support,” she said.

Van Zyl also expressed her gratitude to those who supported the fundraiser, including: Firwood Bowling Club, Honey Accessories and Ingwe Property Group, as well as Queensburgh Sports Club who gave her their hall to use free of charge for the Taibo class.

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