Dashing for All4TheBabies
This year, the All4TheBabies lady's cycling team sets out to take part in the Nedbank Desert Dash to support a purpose that goes beyond the race. Their participation is fuelled by a commitment to enhance awareness and support the Ruach Elohim Foundation in Swakopmund with a fundraising target of N$100 000.The Ruach Elohim Foundation aims to help prevent baby dumping and provide a safe and loving home for abandoned children from birth to two years old. It also offers counselling and support to the mothers of these babies and pays for their transport when they bring their babies to the foundation. Operating fully on donations, the foundation looks to afford solace to these babies while also creating a judgement-free space where Namibian mothers can seek help.
Despite a change in legislation that decriminalises the prosecution of mothers who give up or abandon their children, baby dumping has been on an upward trend in Namibia, with Nampol recording 234 cases of abandoned babies nationwide in July 2022. This is an alarming number for a country with a population of only 2.6 million.
While various socioeconomic factors contribute to this trend, many young Namibian women are still risking punishment and continuing to abandon their babies in unsafe and life-threatening situations.
In response to this, Ronel and Dick Peters founded the Ruach Elohim Foundation – a haven where women could leave their babies safely and anonymously.
Saving babies
The baby-saver box is an initiative by the foundation. They have attached a box to the boundary wall of the foundation where mothers can leave their babies. When a mother arrives, they are greeted with a reassuring note that acknowledges their circumstances. Once the mother has placed the baby inside the box and closed it, it can no longer be opened from the outside and an alarm immediately goes off, sending a notification to eight foundation members, who then respond accordingly. Should the mother change her mind, she has 30 days to claim her baby back before the baby is legally registered for adoption.
Beverley-Rae Henckert, a member of All4TheBabies, said: “Generating sustainable funding for any charity organisation is challenging, and we hope that money we raise will help them extend their premises to cater for more babies. Raising children is costly. We hope and trust that the funds we raise will make a positive contribution to give the babies what they need and help reduce any financial pressure that Ronel and Dick face.”
Henckert is grateful that All4TheBabies has a trusted partner in Nedbank Namibia, which allows them to focus solely on their cycling training and raising funds. Being affiliated with the main sponsor is a privilege they do not take lightly, and they are committed to making Nedbank Namibia proud.
Alignment
One of the major challenges cyclists experience is team alignment, especially when they come from different towns. However, the work that Ronel and Dick are doing inspires them so much that they are determined to see the foundation being flooded with recurring sponsors and donations.
The team thanks their sponsors, friends and family for supporting them through their Nedbank Desert Dash journey and helping them create awareness about the cause. So far, the team has received sponsorships for their entry fee, gear, transport, fuel, accommodation and bike transport, as well as monetary donations for the foundation.
“It has been so motivating to have received the support we have so far. Thank you. We are beyond grateful and excited to have so many partners for this cause, and we look forward to making you all proud.”