In the past few days, as I have reflected, I have been truly in awe of how this year has begun for Higher Ground. It is only a little over a month into the year and already big and exciting things have happened for us. As you all know, as camps approach we are always urgently looking for the remaining money to run our camps and this year we have been able to run three big camps without struggling too much financially. We have also received a major donation for the purchase of office equipment (see below for further details), have seen many people come to camp and be changed and have an exciting year ahead. I am convinced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that every blessing we have received in this short time comes directly from the Lord.

Please take the time to read through this newsletter as there is lots of feedback, info on upcoming events and general news.

Provision, Provision, Provision

Since Higher Ground was started in September 2004 we have talked about how we need a digital projector to be able to adequately show people what Higher Ground is all about. Through an incredibly generous donation from The Grace Alice Baumann Trust we have just purchased a laptop, projector, photocopier/scanner/printer/fax and all the necessary extras. This is not the first time that The Grace Alice Baumann Trust has come through in a big way for us. At the beginning of last year they donated half of the money for the purchase of our wonderful Higher Ground vehicle. We cannot express adequately how grateful we are for this recent incredible donation.

The equipment is invaluable and will be used for much more than just office work. We will be starting to run computer training at camp (introducing campers to developments for people with disabilities, especially those who are blind or partially sighted). It will also be used for presentations at potential donors, for worship at camp and much more.

May we present to you…

With our new equipment we are able to do visual presentations on our work at Higher Ground. May we come to your community service club, business, organisation, trust, foundation, church or school and tell people about what Higher Ground is all about? Please contact Emma on 072 039 0907 or email HigherGroundSA@gmail.com should you have any ideas.

Recent Camps

January was a busy and very successful month. It started off with a camp for the children of Cheshire Homes in Chatsworth and what a wonderful time was had by all. We thank all of you who contributed towards the running of this camp.

Sandy Padayachee, Head of Cheshire Homes, had this to say:

“SCDIFA Cheshire Home provides accommodation to 39 children with profound disabilities. The children’s ages range for 4 – 45 years and many of them have been abandoned and Cheshire Home is their home for life. By providing an opportunity to go away and breath the fresh country and in such pleasant surroundings that is cosy and child friendly is indeed a delight and memorable event for the children”…”we once again thank you, your volunteers and donors for making this wonderful experience and outing possible”.

We look forward to welcoming Cheshire Homes back in January 2008.

Our second camp in January was for adults who are blind or partially sighted. Our campers travelled from every corner of South Africa – Grahamstown, Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg and of course KZN for a week of adventure, new friendships, spiritual growth and so much more.

Highlights for many were the rock climbing and abseiling at Monteseel and the 7km hike. New activities on the schedule included baking, plant recognition, playing pool and more. The hot weather meant that lots of time was spent in the swimming pool, and of course there was ample time for connecting with new and old friends.

Nadia van Niekerk, a first time camper, had the following to say:

“From the moment we arrived at camp the volunteers did everything they could to let us feel comfortable and relaxed.  During camp we swim, watch a movie, play board games and domino’s, do rock climbing and abseiling, play a game of pool, do some aerobics, make chocolate cookies, play who wants to be a millionaire, do a 7 km walk, had a talent show, do arts and crafts, play goal ball, sit by the camp fire singing playing games and eating smores, learn something about herbs, do a treasure hunt, learn to dance and most important to me, praise and worship God each day.  All these activities are organized by Emma and her helpers.  You are under no pressure to do things you don’t like and I can assure you that camp is the perfect holiday for anyone that needs a break.”… “The camp-out-evening on Thursday was also a wonderful experience. Firstly we put up the tents ourselves and had lots of laughter doing that.  We sit at the camp fire chatting till past midnight and when we finally got in to bed in the tents we was still chatting and making jokes till we, one-by-one, fall asleep.  After the farewell dinner on Friday night there was nice music and a dance for those that wanted to show the steps they had learned during the dance lessons.  To me this was an experience that I want to share with all my friends and any one else who want to listen.  You return from camp with new energy and strength and I am sure that, if possible, I’ll be there again next year.”

Again we must thank the people who contributed to making both of these camps a success – our donors:

Mr Richard Fisher

Emma and Miriam Goodwin

Mr Philip Theron

Durban Rotaract Club

North Durban Rotaract Club

1000 Hills Rotary

Hackers Golf Club

Westville Rotary Club

Also to Hilton Lions who did a braai for us at the Cheshire Homes Camp and Durban Rotary and Durban Rotaract who did a braai for us at our camp for the visually impaired – both were wonderful and we thank you so much for sharing your time with us!

Finally, we have just returned from a Leadership Camp which we ran for the Grade 7 Learners at Ethembeni School in 1000 Hills. The Learners all have physical or visual disabilities and we welcomed 25 teenagers to camp in Winklespruit. The learners and volunteers had a great time on the beach, at the talent show, at the campfire, learning about leadership and life skills and strengthening old and building new friendships.

Upcoming Camps

Next up is our Mini Camp for adults with acquired brain injuries. This takes place from Friday 30^th March – Sunday 1^st April at Lincoln Haven, Camp Jonathan, Eston. The camp is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has an acquired brain injury (including strokes). If you haven’t already received the forms please contact us on 072 039 0907 or email HigherGroundSA@gmail.com.

Midmar Mile Feedback

Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th February could not have been more different. From the heat wave-like weather on Saturday to the cold and rain on Sunday our swimmers certainly had their work cut out for them!

Sadly, a week before the race, Kerneels Roos came down with Tonsillitis and Glandular Fever and so was unable to swim on the day. One of our faithful campers, Keith Jones, came to swim though and so we still had three swimmers on the day. Keith had a stroke many years back and performed brilliantly in the race on Saturday, swimming in the category specifically for people with a disability.

Our other two intrepid swimmers, Ben and Kris Ackerman, took on the task of swimming all 8 events – a total of 8 miles! As they finished each race they went back to the other side of the dam and got ready for the next race. All this while still smiling and looking very much like they had not already swum 1/2/3 miles that day!

A big thank you to all three of our swimmers who, in their swimming efforts, raised money for Higher Ground. We are still working out the final figure but it is looking like approximately R10 000.00 was raised through this event. Thank you guys!

A huge thank you also to all of you who sponsored them in their swim. Please could you contact me if you made a deposit and didn’t put your name as the reference so that we can send you our thanks and also to give shirts where applicable.

Thank you again to our sponsors, who will be listed in the next newsletter.

Volunteers

We continue to be blessed with dedicated, caring, enthusiastic, fun, energetic volunteers. Thank you too the following guys and girls who assisted at our last three camps:

Morris, Sakhile, Nkosie, Sybil, Sphiwe, Alima, Sian, Maggie, Nathalie (Rotary Exchange Student from Switzerland), Nosipho, Zhama, Linda, Ben and Jane.

Thank you, all of you, for all that you do for our campers. You make Higher Ground!

If you would like to become a volunteer at Higher Ground please contact us for further information.

And further thanks…

I can’t let thanks go on without thanking three other, very special people, who play a big role in Higher Ground.

Firstly Kerneels who is a constant support, encouragement, brain when mine goes onto overload, source of ideas and wisdom and so much more!

Then my Dad, who helps in so many ways too – with finances, ideas, problem solving and constant availability to drive far and wide for campers and volunteers.

Finally my Mom, who all of our campers and volunteers also know as ‘Mom’ who helps on each camp, prepares activities, shops for supplies and does anything that needs to be done!

Higher Ground couldn’t function without you guys – thank you so much!

And just one more…

Near the end of last year we were very fortunate to receive another donation – this time all the way from the USA! Huge thanks to Anya Klaassen and her father David who raised money from their local church and donated it to Higher Ground. The money was used to purchase some much-needed camp equipment including sleeping bags, walkie talkies and more. Thank you so much for all of your effort!

Do you print?

Each year we have a new Higher Ground shirt printed and it is a wonderful reminder for our campers of their time at camp. It becomes expensive to have them printed, and often we hold camps where we aren’t able to provide our campers with shirts.

Would your company be interested in having a small logo on our shirts and covering the cost of the printing?

Please contact Emma on 072 039 0907 or email HigherGroundSA@gmail.com.

We also desperately need to have flyers printed (one for general interest, another for potential campers). Should you be able to assist at all with this please let us know.

As always

For your information, should you be able to assist or would like to pray for us, our most urgent needs at the moment are:

Funding to pay salaries

Funding to run each camp (approximately R35 000.00 per camp)

So much to say…

There is always so much to say! Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I trust that 2007 has been exciting so far for you all and may it continue to be blessed and happy.

If you aren’t already, please consider becoming involved with us at Higher Ground as we seek to make a difference in the lives of people living with disabilities. A reminder again that if you know of anywhere we could make a presentation, or know of anyone we could talk to about Higher Ground please do let us know.

Take care

Emma