This month has been full of activities and excitement, the establishment and formation of new relationships with like-minded organisations that are also seeking to uplift our communities through engaging young stars in activities that will play a big role in shaping their future. Amongst other things we hosted a biggest sports event, supported Oliver at the Comrades Marathon and welcomed our short term volunteers. For the first time ICDM hosted volunteers from the Philippines, which was an amazing experience, learning about their culture and history which has many similarities with South Africa.
The most highly anticipated ICDM annual Schools Sports Event was a huge success. On the 12th of May ICDM was a place to be for both primary and high schools in KwaXimba. The event featured more than eight schools who each participated in different sporting codes, namely soccer, netball, volleyball and dri- stokies. This was by far the biggest sport event ICDM has ever hosted and had full support from our stakeholders. The turnout was more than 500 participants - a huge mile stone in the influencing of the lives of the young stars on a much larger scale.
ICDM would like to thank sponsors and partners for making the day of the event a great success. We extend our gratitude to Government International Relations Office, to Durban Tourism for their help with branding, to the marshals who did a great job to ensure that everything ran smoothly and also to the Schools Sports Co-ordinators and the Schools Sports Committee for making sure that kids participated in the various sports. The hours put in by ICDM Management and Youth Committee came to fruition with the massive success of the event.
ICDM welcomed two Asian volunteers, Charlie and Sarah, from the Philippines. They both come from different disciplines; Charlie is a flight attendant and Sarah is a nurse practitioner. Kids really enjoyed their company - they were very good with the kids - exchanging culture through dance. It was an educational and fun experience to learn about another culture, particularly the Asian culture. Thando and Buhle took Sarah and Charlie on a cultural tour along Umgeni River where they had so much fun. They also visited the Pine Crest Mall in Pinetown which was a completely different environment for them and they had such an amazing experience.
In a spirit of strengthening our partnership base, on the 28th of May ICDM Management and its soccer and netball teams visited Siyanqoba (conquer) Peer Education which is based in Ntshongweni, west of Durban. We were also very fortunate enough to be accompanied by Oliver, who raised funds for the ICDM last year in Germany by running a marathon organised by Klimahaus. The day featured friendly games with Siyanqoba youth, and an information sharing session afterwards. Congratulations to the ICDM teams for winning all their friendly games. Oliver was impressed by the great work ICDM does to youth.
Moreover the following day, Oliver participated on a South African biggest 89km marathon, the Comrades Marathon. This was his second time participating in this marathon, a down run from Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban’s Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead. Last year he participated on the up run. ICDM team and the kids woke up early in the morning and went to Inchanga, which is close to half way, to support Oliver. It was quite an amazing experience for the kids because for some it was their first time watching the Comrades Marathon live. Maybe it inspired some to take part in the future!
ICDM We are the future!!
