Father Xmas rides to Elim on a BMW Reindeer

Annie's picture
This trip was prepared and organized by Tanya Rossouw. I called it an advanced trip, because it is not for the faint-hearted. I will add more photos and updates as I receive pics and info. Our Special Forces Reindeer carried the following elves (large elves) along with Father Xmas: 1x1200 GSA - Johann (JR) & Tanya Rossouw 1x1200 GS - HD Rossouw & Brandon 1x1150 GSA - Father Xmas aka Andyman 1x1150 GS - Danie Malan (Geelkameel) & Carle 1x750 Africa Twin – Wouter & Annelie 1xF650GS – Annie 3xBakkies Bearing Gifts and Party Food: 1xBakkie – Chris (Padlangs) & Greta Frylinck 1xBakkie – John & Belinda 1xBakkie – Nico (Tanya’s dad) & Elzaan & Luan The day started early with clear skies and strong south-easterly winds, although WeatherSA had predicted rain for this day. We all met just opposite the Firlands Shell Garage just outside Gordon’s Bay on the N2. We left the spot at 7.30am and were buffeted over the Sir Lowry’s Pass by the wind, which calmed down as we neared Grabouw. We passed through Grabouw and stopped for a lovely breakfast sponsored (yes, ''sponsored'') by Houwhoek Farmstall. During breakfast we heard of Tanya’s sleepless night, worrying about the weather and whether she had forgotten anything. My goodness, please let us know who helped you pack and wrap and sponsor all those gifts, and prepared the hamburgers, colddrinks etc, Tanya. ''Please'' don’t tell me you did it all by yourself! JR, Nico & HD waiting for breakfastJR, Nico & HD waiting for breakfast At one stage someone opened their mouth during breakfast that they were worried that meeting the Elim children was going to reduce them to tears. This appeared to be on everyone’s minds, and there was some serious discussion about this. Breakfast group welcomes COFFEEBreakfast group welcomes COFFEE We had a group photo taken of the Farmstall staff and our riders after breakfast and continued our journey at about 9am over the Houwhoek pass, slipping off left towards Hermanus, where the winds were pretty strong again. Some breathtaking views and scenery. A roadblock in Stanford allowed us through, obviously observing that this was no ordinary convoy. In Gansbaai we stopped to re-fuel and regroup, while Santa had a quick nap. Father Xmas napping on his reindeerFather Xmas napping on his reindeer We all sipped the fresh ginger-beer Danie bought at the little Pancake and Ginger-beer stall. And soon we were on our way again, turning left towards Elim onto the dirt for about 20 to 30 kms. Just outside Elim we stopped to allow Santa (Andyman) to don his Red Riding outfit over his riding gear – this was no mean feat as the temperature was probably about 28°C! Stop outside ElimStop outside Elim It was a beautiful dayIt was a beautiful day Beard goes on: Luan & Greta look onBeard goes on: Luan & Greta look on A last Tummy-TuckA last Tummy-Tuck Santa saddles up!Santa saddles up! Ready to goReady to go By now Elim got wind of the convoy, and some excited children and parents stood on their stoeps to watch us pass by. Entrance to Elim Main RoadEntrance to Elim Main Road All the Houses are similar: Danie took photos from someone's stoep!All the Houses are similar: Danie took photos from someone's stoep! We arrived at the Elim home for Disabled persons just after 11am. We carefully parked our bikes and bakkies and started off-loading Santa’s gifts and goodies. Bikes are parked carefullyBikes are parked carefully Offloading beginsOffloading begins The children were very excited in varying degrees and forms – most of them have movement disabilities, cannot walk, and limbs contort themselves spasmodically. But if you are not used to this, it hits you with a shockwave which reduced quite a few of us to tears. Children of our worldChildren of our world Children of our worldChildren of our world More children & teens in pramsMore children & teens in prams Tanya bravely led the way and the festivities continued. Tanya leads the wayTanya leads the way I think this was more a big thank you and recognition for the staff who look after the children 24/7. Santa chats to the staffSanta chats to the staff Of the 49 children and adults, only 3 don’t wear nappies. 4 wear crash helmets because of head-banging on walls. Most cannot speak, and about 70% were transported in prams. The sad fact is that 75% of them are the result of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). The rest have normal retardation, cerebral palsy and one 6year old is there with severe brain damage after falling out of a jungle jim. They also have a doctor and physiotherapist who help with movement stimulation and other ailments. About 95% have no family visiting them. Day staff: I counted about 15 staff on dutyDay staff: I counted about 15 staff on duty We helped Tanya dish out colddrinks, hamburgers and Purity. This involved helping them drink and eat as well. Afterwards each person, including the staff, received a gift from Father Xmas, who had a hard job maintaining a straight face. Maintaining a straight faceMaintaining a straight face We left in a very somber mood and were welcomed a short while later at the Mispah School. Most notable was that we were “bang” on time for everything. Enrico had prepared some Welcome Banners. He has a natural gift for art and space perception. Mispah welcomes usMispah welcomes us Enrico's bike drawings: Are amazing for someone with learning disabilities.Enrico's bike drawings: Are amazing for someone with learning disabilities. Bike drawingBike drawing Everyone settles downEveryone settles down Now these children have varying forms of learning disabilities, and most of them were extremely over-excited to see Father Xmas. One little boy only had eyes for Santa. The principal and head of the committee gave a little speech, where we learned that 37 staff look after and teach about 70 children. This includes 2 or 3 young women who are on a 6 month evangelical programme from Germany. The children put on 2 plays for us, starting with “This little light of mine” and then a version of the Nativity Play. The one sheep did all sorts of antics for Father Xmas. Most of the sheep had to be prompted to “maah” and Mary just sat and grinned from ear to ear. Light actLight act Mary & Joseph at the mangerMary & Joseph at the manger Mary grins, while the sheep settle for the night: Check the one sheep with eyes only for SantaMary grins, while the sheep settle for the night: Check the one sheep with eyes only for Santa Santa then handed out many, many gifts, while the rest of us dished out colddrinks and hamburgers. The staff had kindly prepared a Breyani for us and we gratefully retired outside to eat this. We departed, wondering how anyone was going to sleep that night, including us. Relax outsideRelax outside RelaxingRelaxing We took a slow drive on the dirt via Baardskeerdersbos, feeling very sobered and humbled by the whole experience. En route we met a few farmers who were not so sobered and had tried to set up an instant toll gate to stop us and warn us of a slow tractor ploughing in the field next door! Another level of retardation I’d say. We all peeled off on our separate ways after Hermanus and Gordon’s Bay and crashed into our lounges and kitchens. I know Tanya still had to make 100 Angels for the Sunday school before nightfall. Thank you Tanya, Johann and Nico for your amazing energy and community spiritedness. You definitely showed us how it is done! Tanya will let us know of all the donors who sponsored everything, including time. '''THANK YOU!!'''

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Andyman's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/22
Nice report and photos Annie! Well done and thanks Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

JR
JR's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Thanks for the trip report Annie. Being all teary and very involved in the activity, I would not have done such a good job at getting the detail for the trip report. I'm not into the photo thing yet, so I'll ask Johann to post some later. It's been an awesome experience for all of us. It takes events like these, to make us realise just how much we have to be grateful for. Photo's cannot bring across what we've experienced on Saturday. You had to be there to feel it. Eventhough every visit for me is an emotional one, they are so rewarding. I keep on going back for more - some would say that I am a sucker for punishment. In the week heading up to Saturday (in the heart of a year end exam).... I bought all the gifts at Classic in Epping on Sunday morning after church : 5 trolleys stacked up high. All I knew was how many boys and girls in the different age groups. On Sunday evening, I just had to be sure that I at least had the split between boys and girls right as I just took toys off the shelves towards the end. Everybody had something. And yes, I had to still wrap all the gifts. This happened from Friday afternoon onwards. Padlangs can vow for the state in which my lounge was - toys and wrapping paper everywhere! In total I collected R6930 for gifts and food. Of this, R2790 were contributions from Old Mutual Group Assurance staff while the rest were contributions from people reading the story on the Forum. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I made lots of phonecalls and sent many e-mails for donations in the week before the big day for fruit, lunch for Saturday for the 130 children, yogurts etc. It wasn't always easy (many sleepless nights I might add). But I must admit that when one door closed, 2 others would open. I realised as the time went by that I was only an instrument and that the Plan was bigger than we all anticipated. We had to take 3 bakkies and a trailor to get the gifts and food to Elim. Special thank you's to the following co's/individuals : SANTA AND THE ELVES - for taking the trip to Elim and for not bailing out on me at Elim Home. Padlangs and company will know what I mean. 1) Old Mutual Group Assurance Management for their contribution towards chips, cooldrinks and sweets as well as the small gifts for the staff that I put together. 2) Bakers Emporium for the cakes and other sweet treats 3) Jean & Frans at Houwhoek Farmstall for the sponsored breakfast for Santa and Elves 4) Tiger Brands for the donation of Purity for the children who could not have a normal diet (hamburgers) 5) Old Mutual staff for the donation of Breyani for the staff at Elim Home and Mispah 6) Woolworths Constantia for the food donation 7) Cape Town Market for the fruit donation 8) Jason Mitchell (Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport) for the hamburgers, more chips and cooldrinks Comments from the principal were that they've NEVER had such Christmas parties in Elim before. Watch the space as we WILL definately do this again next year. We shouldn't just give at Christmas time. On every trip that Johann (JR) arrange, I make sure that we visit a needy community where we hand out food donations. If you feel that you could contribute in any way, please feel free to contact me. Yours in the heart of needy communities, Tanya trossouw@oldmutual.com 082 332 4635
JR
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Apologies, I omitted the names of the individuals who contributed to the success of the day : Abel Esterhuizen Anonymous Chris & Belinda Dunn Keith Millington Ara van Zyl Geoffrey Kite Derek Gearry Gavin Collins Andies Zietsman Pieter Steenkamp Johan de Jager Tracey Shield Pieter Pretorius HD Rossouw The Elves were : Andyman (alias Santa) Annie Geelkameel & Carla JR & family HD & Brandon Wouter & Annelie John Booysen Padlangs & Greta Grondpad (my dad - Nico)
Padlangs (not verified)
Tanya, Johan and Nico are truly special people. A true example of what we can all do. Friday night Greta and myself went to load the bakkie and trailor at JR's house. After loading both to the brim, Tanya's house was still FULL!! The scary part is that most of the remaining goodies still had to be packed and wrapped. Apparently she only finished after midnight. Thanks again to Houwhoek for the stunning breakfast. The "ELVES" on their way.The "ELVES" on their way. At Gansbaai Santa rested out for a "hard days work". Santa having a power napSanta having a power nap Ready for the last stint to ElimReady for the last stint to Elim The Elim Home is NOT for the faint harted. It was only Tanya and Andy (Santa) that could not slip out to ...., uhmm well compose themselves. The rest of us took a number of "strolls" to regroup. Santa arriving at the second stopSanta arriving at the second stop The next stop was much "better".
JohandeJager's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03
Wel done guys. I am still sad that we could not join you but can see that the money donated was well spent. PLEASE indicate next years/ next time's date as soon as you can, we can then get Charles to place this on the calender and hereby get more people to join in - I defnitely want to be part of this (in person) next time. Keep it SAFE !!

Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

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Joined: 2007/06/25
May God bless you all. Bum in the saddle, always.

Think before you ink.

Trust is the most valuable asset.

I have the rest of my life to get old.

GeelKameel's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/21
Lekker tripreport! Dit dra die gees van die dag baie goed en gee 'n klomp feite wat ek nie geweet het nie. Baie dankie Annie. Ek het nogal vooraf gedink ek sal een en ander met die mense gesels en 'n storie skryf. Maar, soos ek in die ander thread (Elim...) vertel het, my gemoed het my in die steek gelaat. Elke keer as ek met iemand by die Home begin gesels, het my stem gebreek en moes ek maar buite toe gaan en 'n lang draai loop. Iets wat ek opgelet het, is dat die mans baie meer sigbaar geraak was met die situasie. Lyk my vrouens is sterker met hierdie soort dinge.
JohandeJager's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03
As ons kyk na die gevoel van die mense wat gisteraand by die klub meeting was nadat Annie ons almal vertel het van die trip, gaan volgende jaar groter en beter wees as hierdie jaar - ek gaan defnitief effort maak om te gaan. Ek stem saam ou GeelKameel - ek gaan ook maar moet laaaang draaie loop. Tanya - wel gedaan en dankie vir al jou moeite in hierdie verband. Keep it SAFE !!

Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

GeelKameel's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/21
Annie wrote: ''We took a slow drive on the dirt via Baardskeerdersbos, feeling very sobered and humbled by the whole experience. En route we met a few farmers who were not so sobered and had tried to set up an instant toll gate to stop us and warn us of a slow tractor ploughing in the field next door! Another level of retardation I’d say.'' I was wondering what the "roadblock" was about. I rode right through without stopping, but could not help smelling the alcohol. I remember those three bakkies parked at the roadside and the very youthful "farmers" with gleaming faces. Probably the sons of farmers in the area, taking over the farming activities and adding the drinking part. I was not impressed at all, especially being on the return trip from a situation which could hardly be more the opposite. Yes, well put by you...... the part of "another form of retardation"