VIDEO: Watch out Kilimanjaro, these dads are on their way
“If I can have a positive impact on just one child, it would have been worth it,” one dad said.
When doctors told Dewald Ras (33) and his wife Ilonka Lubbe-Ras (32) their unborn daughter might have Down Syndrome, they were worried but ready.
“We decided if the Lord wanted to give her to us, we would take her,” Dewald told Express in his Aston Manor home over home-made cappuccinos.
However, little Reese was born healthy, without the genetic disorder, on July 21 in 2016.
“I will forever have great respect for parents who choose to love their child, regardless of what others might see as a disorder,” the father of three added.
Family photos against the wall showed a close-knit family of five.
Two years after his youngest daughter’s birth, Dewald decided to combine one item on his bucket list with his passion for helping others; he decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise R200 000 for Down Syndrome South Africa, something no one has ever done for the organisation.
The money raised will go towards training youngsters with Down Syndrome, to help them get jobs someday.
“If I can have a positive impact on just one child, it would have been worth it,” Dewald said about the 70km-walk up the dormant volcano in Tanzania. At 5 895m above sea level, it is also the highest mountain in Africa.
Luckily, he won’t be doing it alone. He will tackle the seven-day journey, which will start on February 2 next year, with friend and former firefighter Francois Henning (32) from Sunward Park in Boksburg.
Both men work for fire insurance and prevention companies.
“One day we were driving to a site when Francois told me he was going to London with his family in December,” Dewald explained. “‘That’s nothing,’ I told him, ‘I’m going to climb Kilimanjaro’.”
Francois, already an avid climber, was hooked.
“I told Dewald the following day I would join him,” he remembered. “I have a big heart. When the opportunity came along I had to grab it.”
Although only half of the about 30 000 people who try to climb Kilimanjaro each year succeed, the two dads said the cause would keep them motivated.
And what will they do when they do get to the top?
“Unfortunately, alcohol isn’t allowed, so we can’t drink beer,” they laughed.
If all goes well, this climb won’t be their last. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll climb Everest next.”
Donations towards this cause can be made to Down Syndrome South Africa, Standard Bank, 202 470 695, with “Kilimanjaro” and your name and surname as reference.
You can also follow Dewald’s and Francois’ adventures on their Facebook page: Kilimanjaro Fundraiser For Down Syndrome SA
