Bob Skinstad

Day 5 – Knysna calls

Written by Cat Pritchard Friday, 26 February 2010 19:47

Day 5 - a rainy start to the day but we don’t let this get us down because we know that this area, which has suffered a prolonged drought, is so happy about their good fortune. Perhaps the songs and good cheer that greet us as we arrive at Sunridge Primary are more to do with the rain than our visit, but we are happy nonetheless.

The school has 1300 learners and no school hall so the children congregate around the outside quad, sheltered by the classroom levels above. As we gather the 500 school shoes, the stereo system belts out the tune “hier kom die bokke, hier kom die bokke” and the learners grow excited with every beat. Bob arrives to a heroes welcome, with their cheers and applause rising above the sounds of the stereo and the rain. The shoes will be distributed to 5 schools in the area.

A 40 minute drive and we are in George, where we visit Thembalethu Primary on its fringe. Here we are told of the many learners that must walk 5kms to get to school, many without shoes. The team fit and distribute another 250 shoes, and receive the first public rendition of “thank you Bob for the shoes” as a personal gift over and above the many other beautiful songs sang on our behalf.

A short drive away and we arrive at Tyhlora Primary, where the principal likens our visit to the rains that are now soaking the scorched earth. We are touched by the analogy and work hard to show that we get as much from these visits as they receive from our gift of 250 shoes.

We then venture into the center of George to a more fortunate school, George South Primary. The reason for our visit is very different to the previous, but no less important in our eyes. One of the Grade 5 classes had heard about our campaign in the press and had taken it upon themselves to give of their own pocket money, raining R200 for the cause. As is often the case, other learners wanted to contribute and, in the end, the grade 5 classes collectively managed to raise R2000. Bob thought this sentiment well worth a visit – much to the excitement of the hoards of rugby-mad learners who were well pleased with their autographs.

1000 shoes distributed – our biggest day yet, but we are saddened to think that only a few more schools lie ahead in the completion of our first (but certainly not last) Walk This Way campaign.