Searching4Santa

Dawn www.childrenofthedawn.org and the younger orphans coming in to the charity

How: We want to take 4 Children of the Dawn youth on an expedition to the North Pole. (The Pole has significance in that it is “fantastical”, unique and hard to get to (there is not farther place for and African!) Although we are most certainly making things harder for ourselves it is necessary as this is the only way we will raise the correct amount of corporate interest and funds in order to achieve what we want to achieve. Why: Once a “dawn” child has finished school they leave the protection of the charity and have to face the real world on their own. This trip will provide them with life skills that will and most importantly make them more employable on their departure. We would like to provide a skill to each youth adventure going on this trip that will help them be employed here after e.g. photography/videography/environmental issues/adventure travel. When: April 2020 (we have to go in April as this is when the ice conditions are correct). April 2020 was deemed as too soon a date with regards to training and prep. Fund-raising (two-fold): 1) Corporate in order to facilitate the trip 2) Individual to raise money for the charity (via Website, Social Media, Santa Runs, any “elf” who wants to get involved). Social Media will be used to for the activation of Santa’s elves to organise smaller events to raise money . We are also busy trying to pitch to SABC for documentary rights. Either way we will record the journey, and a documentary/short film will be created. We want to move people to act to help us get this done. There is no limit to the exposure we are going to try and get through this project, for the cause as well as the sponsor. Timelines:
• June 2018– October 2018: Sponsor and funding search and finalisation
• November 2018 Launch the project online, social media etc. Date not set in stone
• December 2018: First Santa Run
• Start 2019: Candidate selection. Children on the Dawn will help us facilitate a selection process whereby Children who are in Matric that year (and are looking strong to pass) apply to be one of the 4 candidates to go on the trip. They will have to motivate their selection. These are strong individuals who should not be underestimated. Each will have a story.
• Winter 2019: First cold adaptation and ski training camp in Lesotho (possible that 6 candidates may need to attend of which the final 4 will be selected from).
• Rest of 2019: Training, Charity drives by our “elves” that have gotten involved. Road Trips to each of the Children of the Dawn sanctuaries to educate the younger children around environmental issues etc.
• December 2019: Second Santa run (possible second training camp). Aril 2020: TO THE POLE WE GO!
• Depart to Norway for 1 week final ski training, environmental education and survival training
• Depart from Norway to Barneo (Russian research camp)
• Helicopter flight to start point
• 3 day polar ice ski expedition to the North Pole (Apparently quite brutal, and can come with its own complications, the team will have to be well prepared).
• 3 days on ice back to pick up point.
• Helicopter flight from North Pole to Barneo.
• Return to Norway and then home as HERO’s! The option also exists (dependent on funding) for Sibusiso Vilane to accompany us on the trip, as a minimum, he has agreed to assist with the training of the 4 orphans.

…why should it not be too then for an orphaned child. Let’s not expect less from them than they are capable of achieving…