Skipping for hope

The Children of the Dawn, a community care centre in Wesselton, has been afforded the opportunity to learn from the best in preparation for their forthcoming rope-skipping competition.

Keo Mokolopo, an eight-time rope-skipping national champion, has been roped in to assist with coaching at several Children of The Dawn community centres around the country.

The Ermelo centre will be one of the centres participating at the three-day provincial championships in Bushbuckridge in July.

Mr Tafayile Zulu, mentor at the Ermelo centre, was excited to receive the assistance provided to them.

In her conversation with the Highvelder, Keo said there is a lot of talent in Ermelo, but they need more than two days to identify more children with potential.

“My two-day visit to Ermelo was exciting and I also realised the amazing talent that needs to be nurtured.

“I have also mentioned to Children of The Dawn management that we need more time for development,” emphasised Keo.

The gymnastics fanatic from Thaba Nchu in the Free State represented the country at the world rope-skipping championships in Toronto, Canada in 2006 where she received a gold medal.

Keo was also one of the skippers who took part in the world rope-skipping championships in Cape Town in 2008.

She retired from competitions last year to take up developmental coaching and loves it, as she gets to motivate, give hope and encourage the youth she works with.

Children of the Dawn, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is a community care centre for orphaned and vulnerable children.