Dear Friends

Firstly this month I would like to thank all of you who read our newsletters. I often receive feedback and it is so encouraging to know that people are interested in what we are doing. I trust that the start of the year has been positive and exciting for all of you in your families and various ventures.

At Higher Ground January was a month filled with wonderful and interesting people, amazing fellowship, personal growth, adventure and good fun! First we held our annual camp for adults with acquired brain injuries. Numbers at this camp continue to grow and it is always great to see familiar faces and welcome new ones too. We spent the week building friendships, swimming, hiking, playing board games, building tents and sleeping in them and growing during our times of devotions (to name just some of the great times that we had!).

Following this was our fourth annual camp for adults who are blind or partially sighted. We spent day one between Durban International Airport, the train and bus station. We had an amazingly diverse group with us this year – a huge group from Cape Town and others from Grahamstown, Bethlehem and Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and of course Durban! What an exciting group of people, and what fun we had. One of the highlights of this camp was our bush camp where we hiked down into our overnight camp, put up tents, cooked over the fire, sang around the campfire and chatted into the night. After breakfast, devotions and packing up the next morning we started back up to camp. Everyone arrived back at the top hot but in good spirits and the rest of our camp (back in comfortable beds!) was amazing! (For anyone thinking of joining us next year who thinks this camp out night sounds a little hectic – fear not – there were activity options for those who chose to stay behind!).

Some Campers Feedback

From a camper who joined us from the Cape...

The experience at Camp Higher Ground came at just the right time. The peaceful surroundings and the focus on spiritual (& physical!) well-being, cleansed the aftermath of the hectic rush of the year-end holidays...The love we all shared was palpable, clearly felt.

Thank you to the team... We were on ‘Higher Ground’.

And from another Cape Camper...

All that I can say is that camp was amazing! The volunteers did a very good job of putting activities together that all of us could enjoy and it was wonderful being with such a nice group of friends. The meals provided are also of an outstanding quality.

Volunteers

We have an amazing, growing group of volunteers and I would like to take this opportunity of publicly thanking all of the amazing guys and girls who give up their time to help us at camp. From varsity students to gap year students to those who work but take time off – we have a diverse, creative, energetic group of people to call on when camps happen and we are so grateful for your willingness and servant-heartedness!

Dates for your diary

22 – 24 February is our annual camp for the children from Cheshire Homes, Chatsworth (sponsored by The Victor Daitz Foundation)

Saturday 26 April is our Higher Ground April Fair. Food, fun activities, stalls to browse. You don't want to miss out! If you would like to book a table at our Fair please contact Emma on 072 039 0907 or email HigherGroundSA@gmail.com

9 – 11 May – Mini Camp for adults with acquired brain injuries

1 – 5 July is our fourth annual camp for children who are blind or partially sighted

8 – 12 July is our fourth annual camp for children with an intellectual impairment

Watch this space for details of other upcoming camps and events!

Our first camp in the Western Cape is in the pipelines – a weekend camp for adults who are blind or partially sighted. Details to follow!

Sponsors

We continue to be incredibly blessed by our sponsors and we say a very big thank you to the following people who have supported us so generously recently:

Grace Alice Baumann Trust

Edna Burford Trust

Pinetown Lions Club

Victor Daitz Foundation

Westville Lions Club

DG Murray Trust

Paw Paw Foundation

Mr Price Pavilion

Have an amazing weekend!

Emma

PS: For anyone wanting to help or get involved some of our needs are:

• Volunteers for weekend and week long camps

• Land (corner of a farm/space in a nature reserve/unused camp site) or existing facility upon which to develop our own camp site

• Supplies eg. balls, paper, paints, medical supplies

• Assistance with transport to camp and on camp outings (eg. Beach trip)

• Funding – camper sponsorships, camp sponsorships, general running costs