SIX years ago, Gavin Meyers got the idea to provide kids and teens in need with a breakaway from stress at home. Today he is one of five founders of the I4118 Foundation – a Christian organisation based on love, care, acceptance, friendship and family values.
Together with his mom Lynette, Elizabeth Browne, Robyn Stephens and Prominent Ncube, Gavin started this foundation which follows the Royal Family Kids and Men of Honour & Ladies of Honour programmes (these are international non-profit organisations with track records that have proven to change the lives of neglected and abused children and teens).
Today I4118 is a registered non-profit company and public benefit organisation. They are also partners with the Free Chapel Alberton, Brackendowns Baptist Church and Alberton Child Welfare.
At-risk children and teens, whether it’s caused by absent parents, abandonment, neglect or abuse, is a much bigger problem in society than is realised. I4118 entails an annual five-day camp for children, as well as ongoing mentorship programmes for kids and teenagers to turn them into world-changers.
For I4118, turning these children into world-changers means to provide them with the attention, recognition, love, care, equality, friendship and sense of family that they so often lack at home. They believe these are simple tools that can change a troubled child into one who can chase a brighter future and change the world for the better.
For every two children there is a qualified, voluntary adult mentor/parent figure ensuring close-knit groups and that each child gets enough attention and care. This is believed to be a big contributor to I4118’s success.
“We want to show these broken kids that not all adults are monsters,” says Gavin. “We are here to give them the ‘royal treatment’ they deserve and show them what a family is.”
There are a lot of fun and engaging activities which everyone at the camp participates in – from decorating their rooms together, riding bicycles and swimming to archery, bb-gun games, talent shows and arts and crafts sessions.
“At the last camp we threw a big birthday party and celebrated everyone,” adds Gavin. “We even held a gala dinner for them and gave them ‘Royal Rands’ to buy themselves nice things from our little ‘Royal Shop’ and ‘coffee shop’ that we had in camp. This made them feel valued and special and a lot of them bought gifts and snacks and just shared it with their friends. They changed from rebellious and introverted kids to happy and caring people – a 180-degree shift in attitude.”
So far there has only been one official annual camp, but the next one is already planned for the first week of April next year and 48 children are said to attend. As for the teen camp – it is still to be planned.
After the camp is finished, the children are encouraged to attend weekly mentorship meetings to keep their hearts growing and help them maintain their positive new attitudes. These mentorship meetings can be attended for as many weeks as they feel are necessary.
To be able to keep making a positive impact on troubled kids’ lives, this organisation is in need of volunteers (preferably Christian) who are young at heart, energetic and passionate about children. “With 48 children going to this camp next year, we need twice as many voluntary staff members,” says Gavin with concern in his voice. “We especially need a qualified nurse, lifeguard and social worker and/or psychologist.”
It goes without saying that each child gets plenty of goodies, such as clothes, toiletries, food, toys and stationery since a lot of these children barely have anything of their own at home.
Donations of toiletries (facecloths, combs, tooth ware, deodorants, shampoos and conditioners, aqueous creams, lip balms, sunscreens, tissues, Vaselines and soaps, pyjamas and clothes, stationery and arts and crafts materials, pool noodles, toys, backpacks and archery equipment will be very much welcomed and appreciated.
If you think I4118 is a great idea with a lot of potential and would like your establishment to start a partnership with them, feel free to contact 011 026 1711 or pop an email to info@i4118.org. Similarly, feel free to make contact if you would like to give a donation, be it financial or otherwise. Be sure to contact them for any queries.
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