A group of children from Heideveld got their first sailing experience thanks to the Little Optimist Sailing Academy based V&A Waterfront’s Battery Park on Tuesday 21 February.
The academy, a flagship programme of The Little Optimist Trust, provides sailing therapy to children from disadvantaged communities across the country.
Greg Bertish, the founder of Little Optimist Trust, says the aim is to expose children to the marine environment.
“We are here for sailing therapy for inspiration and optimism. We have children from some of the most under resourced areas like Heideveld, these kids are from drug infested areas and they have never experienced sailing in their lives. The optimism and the feeling of achievement after they have sailed is amazing.”
Bertish says children get a basic sailing course.
“We teach them the basics of sailing and they get to sail their own Optimist dinghies on the first day that they have ever been in the water. They learn about ocean health, ocean safety sail boats and hopefully they find a passion which makes them inquisitive and then realise that there is a world out there. We want them to know that they can get into the sailing and marine industry.”
Bertish explains that some of their instructors also formed part of the programme.
“Our instructors also came through the system from grassroots from under resourced areas and now they are some of the most highly trained and experienced skippers and sailors in the country. We want to plant the seeds and show them that there is a bigger opportunity out there for them.”
Bertish says the children are taught valuable lessons.
“They build self-confidence. They arrive here with fear for the water and by the end of the day they are in control of their own boat. We run the programmes once or twice a week.
Rev Vernon Bosch, from Heideveld Baptist Church, he is part of various children organisations in the area. He believes the academy teaches children self-discipline.
“A year ago, we brought some of the children here from a high school in the area, these learners were problematic at school and regularly going for disciplinary hearings, since I brought them here, I haven’t seen one of them go for disciplinary hearings.”
On Tuesday he brought 13 children for the sailing experience. Bosch says they are grateful that they can be part of the programme.
“They motivate the children here and the children get to experience and see something outside their environment.”
Amir Yaghya, an instructor, says: “We teach how to tie a knot, what a boat is and what a life jacket is. After that we teach them how to sail the boat. This is about empowering the kids. To me this is about giving back to kids that come from similar areas where I come from. Being a part of this academy has helped me a lot. I have done so many courses already and there are so many other courses I would still like to do.”
According to Bertish there is no fees involved but adds that they always need donations.
“We work with organisations all around the country. We offer it for free. We work with kids from disadvantaged communities and kids with special needs and we offer them this opportunity. People who can afford to donate can do so. We also offer 2-hour lessons as well, but for that there is a fee involved.”
