Heather runs for Hokisa
- By: Heather Howells
- Short URL: http://www.backabuddy.co.za/heather
Personal message
On the 24th May 2009 I shall be running in the 56mile/89km Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in South Africa. This race is known as the Ultimate Human Race where athletes from all over the world come together to challenge their endurance. I would like my run to be about more than personal accomplishment and to that end I am raising money for a very worthy organization called HOKISA - Homes For Kids in South Africa.
HOKISA, located on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, is a small NGO that provides residential, family-type care for children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS and it's aim is to empower members of poor communities where HIV/AIDS is most devastating. HOKISA provides a safe, healthy environment for children entrusted to it's care as well as community outreach and support. All donations made to HOKISA go directly to the HOKISA Home for the care-giving and education of the children and running of the Home. Administrative overheads are kept to a minimum and are mostly absorbed by the volunteer board members.
This cause is espescially meaningful to me as I spent the first 32 years of my life in South Africa. My wish is to give back by helping those who are in a more disadvantaged position. Please help me in reaching or exceeding my fundraising goal by clicking on the 'donate now' icon. The donations will be made in the currency of the South African Rand (ZAR) and all contributions from the smallest to the largest will be greatly appreciated. At the current exchange rate R100.00 is approximately equivalent to $10.00. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. When donating please feel free to comment alongside your contribution.
I would be most grateful if you communicated details of my fundraising effort by forwarding a link to this site to everyone you think may be interested. Together we can make a difference to the lives of many children.
Thank you so much for supporting this endeavour. I have been promised "tiny HOKISA wings on my running shoes" for the race and plan to visit HOKISA after the race. Once I have returned to my home on the beautiful island of O'ahu, Hawai'i, I intend to chronicle my experiences on this site.
For more information please visit:
19 February 2009 : Today I met and exceeded my first fundraising target, reaching R 25,750.00. I wish to thank everyone who has donated so generously up until now. For any newcomers to my page who wish to donate please do so as HOKISA needs the funding and I am increasing my target to R35,000.00.
27june2009 : An enormous thank you to everyone who contributed. I successfully completed the Comrades Marathon on 24th May 2009. The experience of participating was awesome. I flew to Cape Town after the race and spent time at HOKISA which was a very heartwarming experience. All money donated on this page has gone to a very worthy cause. If anyone would like to make more contributions on this page please do so as HOKISA is in need of ongoing donations.
Mahalo nui loa and aloha. Heather.
Donations
| Name | Comment | Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil | You go girl! | May 25, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Slopush | 56 miles Heather? Without a bike? Holy cow, I'm impressed! Have a great run- I'll be thinking of you | May 23, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| The Ross Family | My heart just bursts with pride for you! | May 22, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Kristy, Jeff, Jordyn, & Baby H | I'm so proud of you! I always joke & ask u if u won your race - u definitely won this one already! | May 17, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| The Gaskin-Hurgronje Family! | So honored to have you as a friend~You are amazing & beautiful in every way possible! | May 13, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Renee and Robin | You are an inspiration, will think of you on the day. In memory of Winston who loved running. | Apr 29, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Neva Westhoff | You never cease to amaze me - you are my hero! | Apr 28, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Andre Venter | Apr 27, 2009 | R 1 000.00 | |
| Jonty Medcalf | Awesome Heather! | Apr 25, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Kelly Mackey | Good Luck Heather! You'll do great, I'm sure! Love you! | Apr 20, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Benakar Batista | You are my inspiration, Heather! | Apr 06, 2009 | R 4 000.00 |
| Linda Martin | Can't wait to hear all about your successful run!! | Apr 06, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Margot | You make me so proud to know you. Thank you for doing this! aloha, Margot | Mar 16, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Willem Theron | Best wishes | Mar 08, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Sabine | Good luck Heather - I'll be thinking of you ... you are doing an awesome thing by raising funds | Mar 08, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Feather | You are a true inspiration! | Mar 03, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Cash donations from Gary and P | Gary "Run fast", Peggy "May the wind be at your back" | Feb 25, 2009 | R 300.00 |
| Kai Horsthemke | With you in spirit! | Feb 23, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Cat Brown | Heather- you amaze me! Good luck on this ultramarathon. And what a great cause to raise money for! | Feb 21, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Fred and Cathi Rice | I will be thinking of you on your running journey and know that you will do well! | Feb 20, 2009 | R 5 000.00 |
| Penny & Colin | Heather, you have such huge energy and love to make this more than a run....our love goes with you! | Feb 19, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Lisa Larew | Good luck girl! I will be thinking of you. | Feb 19, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Lilly | I am so inspired by you, the run and the motivation! | Feb 17, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Vickie Bixler | You'll make it with a smile on your face-thanks for the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause | Feb 17, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Nicci | just keep running, just keeping running! i will be praying for you all the way! Love Nicci | Feb 16, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| sharon hiemstra | What an amazing journey!!! I'll be there with you in spirit...Go Heather!! | Feb 11, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Rachel, Derrick & Zoe | Sounds GREAT, except for the extra 30 MILES! Aloha, have fun, Rachel, Derrick and Zoe! | Feb 10, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Anne and Norm Fox | When I think of fit, I always think of you. | Feb 07, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Steven | Yours is the true spirit of the race | Feb 06, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| The Stamper Levy Family | See Heather Run. See Heather Repair the World! | Feb 05, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Lenka & Curtis Stedman | Heather, you are my role model! | Feb 04, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Edith Stadig | Friend of Sharon Douglas, may every step in yr marathon be a step forward of humanity towards Divine | Feb 04, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| val mazinter | so good that ex-pats still want to contribute to our wonderful country. | Feb 04, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Harvey & Lisa | Hi Heather. I'll look out for you on the telly!!! Good luck and enjoy. Harvey & Lisa. | Feb 03, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Ilze | Hope your shoes have wings - I'm with you all the way | Feb 03, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| steve villiger | Go Heather! You ROCK!! | Feb 03, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| andy ingpen | holoholo! - i hope your laugh is as infectious on the finish line! | Feb 02, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Gregory Mthembu-Salter | enjoy the race. one love | Feb 02, 2009 | R 400.00 |
| Glynn Morris | go heather, go... thanks for your thoughtfulness and commitment to the greater good | Feb 02, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Saioa | Good Luck! I admire all your hard work! | Feb 02, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| ian ainslie | phumelela to you, my friend! | Feb 01, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Sonal Bakaya | Go Heather! | Feb 01, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Matt Hicks | You are the wind beneath my wings Heather. You can do it!! | Feb 01, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| A. Charlson | Way to go - we're all behind you!! Good luck! | Jan 31, 2009 | R 2 000.00 |
| Keely | Thank you so much for all of your help! I wouldn't be graduating if it weren't for you! Good luck! | Jan 31, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Kristina | Way to go Heather! | Jan 31, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Veronica Wright | With you all the way. | Jan 28, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Kirstie Shapiro | Good luck! | Jan 28, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| K&L | May the wings of tradition and humanity see you through to the end. Love you K & L xxx | Jan 28, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Andrew & Kathryn | All the best for a great race and cause! | Jan 28, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Steven Howells | The Girl Wonder does it again! My love runs with you, Stevie Caprivi. | Jan 23, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
HOKISA |
HOKISA is a donor-funded residential home for children affected by HIV/AIDS. It is not an orphanage but a small facility in a township where 20 children receive family-type care. They go to school, have friends, have fun and live a normal life. Your generous contributions are requested for this most deserving cause. |
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