As part of a continued drive to make a sustainable difference to the communities that feature along the event’s route, the organizers of the FNB Wines2Whales Mountain Bike (MTB) Events are proud to launch the FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative in the prelude to the 2016 event.
“The FNB W2W has as its core philosophy three very important principles,” says Michael Meyer, FNB W2W MTB Director. “Our team’s main focus is the experience of the rider both on the trails and when they enter the race village at the end of a hard day of riding. We also strongly believe that the event can serve as a catalyst to improve the lives of many. Lastly it is important that we make the sponsorship of the event worthwhile for our partners. We are lucky that the best interests of the rider, the community and the sponsors often overlap.”
Photo: Newsport Media
“We are extremely proud and excited to launch the FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative and we are thankful to our title sponsor, FNB, for providing the launch funding for this project,” continues Meyer. “Four crèches in Bot River and one crèche in Lebanon have been selected as the initial beneficiaries of this initiative. Our aim is to substantially grow this number in future. The main goal of the project is the establishment of an educational library and sustainable educational program, while also assisting with minor renovations, maintenance and supply of necessary items to the crèches.Through this initiative we believe that W2W, together with the support of its sponsors and riders, can make a sustainable difference in many more communities along the W2W route and beyond.”
“FNB believes that if you embrace collaboration, it sets you up for success,” says Eric Enslin, CEO of FNB Private Wealth. “It is through collaborating with the right partners on the right initiatives that we build the potential of our local communities. The FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative is one such initiative, enabling us to make a positive change in children’s lives through important educational interventions. This fits with our overall social consciousness as a business.”
FNB W2W Educational Library:
The library will be housed in a Big Box Container that will be stationed on the family-owned Beaumont Wine Farm. A facilitator, Caron Douglas, has been appointed and will hold workshops every six weeks with the area’s educators to provide them with the material from the educational library as well as guide them through different themes for the next educational period. Every six weeks the educators will swap material and themes, ensuring that the learners will get the most from their studies. W2W will provide ongoing assistance with much-needed repairs at these crèches, while also providing them with furniture (tables, chairs, lockers) and outside play area equipment like jungle gyms.
FNB W2W Community Crèche Initiative beneficiaries:
Bot River:
- Khulani Daycare Centre
- Kidz Academy
- ABC 123 Educare
- Kammaland Crèche
Lebanon:
- Thandi Community Crèche
“The initiative kicked off on Tuesday, 25 October 2016 with the first of many more furniture and educational toys deliveries. This would not have been possible without the assistance of DHL,” confirms Meyer. “Minor repairs and maintenance work has also kicked off with the contracting in of a local handyman/builder from the Bot River community. The educational program is set to start at the end of the 2016 FNB W2W MTB Race.”
Mountain bikers taking part in the 2016 FNB W2W MTB Events are encouraged to show their support by donating usable educational toys (from ages 1 -5), wet wipes and tissues. Look out for the Big Box branded crates where the product can be dropped off.
Source: Newsport Media
