Bumpy ride to raise funds for children and stop farm murders

The tractor journey will take him through five provinces

June 25, 2023

Vryheid Herald 3 minutes read

Dr Andre Hattingh of Pediatric Care Africa will be embarking on the second 2500km tractor ride on July 2 to raise awareness and funds for children who have been exposed to crime in SA, as well as spread awareness about farm murders.
Pediatric Care Africa is a registered non-profit organisation that provides life-saving assistance and hope to less-fortunate children in local communities and throughout South Africa. It was founded by Hattingh, a neurosurgeon, who worked throughout Africa in various medical fields. Hattingh also designed, built and ran several hospitals throughout Africa.
In 2017, he retired and set up Pediatric Care Africa as a promise he made to himself and all vulnerable children he encountered while volunteering in Rwanda during the genocide.
The main focus of the organisation is primarily but not exclusively on children from birth to age 18. The organisation identifies special needs in children and addresses these needs by assisting with visits to specialists, supplying medical treatment and medication, as well as life-changing operations. They also supply food to malnourished and hungry children and their families.
Pediatric Care Africa does not receive any financial assistance from the South African government, which means they have to generate their own funds.
The tractor journey will take him through five provinces.
Travelling 2500km by tractor is not for the faint of heart. According to Hattingh, the first 1000km or so is ridden ‘physically’ and the last 1500km requires tremendous mental strength from the driver. At an average speed of 26km/h in an extremely bumpy and tiring environment, it is a truly taxing and exhausting endeavour.

The purpose of this ride is threefold:

1. To create awareness and collect funds for children in South Africa who require medical treatment and surgeries.

2. To create awareness of the 1014 children being killed in SA every year, 1184 children who are subjected to attempted murder every year, 24387 sexual offences that were committed against children last year, 7815 children who were assaulted with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and 10,829 cases of common assault reported against children last year.

3. To draw international attention to farm murders, as farm murders in South Africa are becoming increasingly brutal and an escalating problem that affects all of us. “Farm murders must absolutely be stopped!” says Hattingh.

How to get involved:

• Sponsor the driver, Dr Andre Hattingh, per kilometre he travels by tractor.

• Make a once-off or monthly donation to help defenceless children.

• The organisation calls on all farmers’ unions and organisations along the tractor route to support these efforts revolving around critical issues.

• Donate baby milk (all types), as many mothers are not able to breastfeed their children due to medical reasons.

• Donate diesel for this ‘On Trac-tor’ charity tractor ride.

• Become a volunteer with Pediatric Care Africa.

• Hospitals and doctors can assist with pro bono treatment or surgery for children, as part of their CSR programmes and initiatives.

Follow the tractor:

July 2: White River/Nelspruit to Burgersfort via Sabie and Lydenburg

July 3: Burgersfort to Mokopane (Potgietersrus)

July 4: Potgietersrus (Mokopane) to Thabazimbi (tractor check)