Golf day at Serengeti is a pillar of hope
'We looked at the communities around us and realised we could help change the world for someone'
A total of 140 golf enthusiasts descended on Serengeti Golf Estate on Friday to help give a new lease on life for the needy in Ekurhuleni.
The Pillars of Hope Golf Day will boost the local youth with education and skills development.
Organised by Mind Fuse, the charity intervention has committed itself to changing the lives of those impoverished for the better. Its other programme includes feeding schemes and holistic drug rehabilitation. Participants paid a fee of R6 000.
Co-founder and chairwoman of the organisation Eleanor Bloem said the idea was formed with the aim of empowering young people who live near Serengeti. She said the initiative was launched last year.
“We looked at the communities around us and realised we could help change the world for someone. That is our ethos,” Bloem said.
“Last year we had our inaugural golf day and with that we were able to run a feeding scheme for Laerskool Bredell. We have supported Life Link Pregnancy Crisis Centre, which provides positive alternatives to an abortion,” Bloem said.
She said the programme had also helped to impart skills and knowledge among the youth in communities where there was high drug abuse.
“Our biggest pillar is education and skills development because the more people who get educated the more people will be able to take ownership of their own lives. In future, we want to see more medical students through this programme.
“Pillars of Hope has been supported by players mainly residing in Serengeti. Sixty per cent of the players are from this estate and we also had some outside players who came in.
“Today, we have about 18 sponsors who are buying into our vision of changing the world for the better. In 2018, we will be working on ways of making education accessible for online platforms,” Bloem added.
