Children given chance to taste life on ocean wave
March 31, 2005 Edition 1
Miriam Mannak
A group of disadvantaged children have gathered in Simon's Town harbour for a week of sailing training at the Izivungu Vungu Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Foundation for Youth. This project was founded three years ago and is an initiative of the SA Navy and the MSC.
"We have more than 100 students at the moment, most of them from Ocean View and Masiphumelele," said sailing instructor Carder Williams.
"They sail every day for three hours and they have one hour of theory. We pick them up after school and take them back home."
The students have some obligations.
"They have to show up and be motivated.
"And they have to keep out of trouble, so no stealing for instance," said Williams.
"They only thing they are allowed to steal is another boat's wind."
Not too long ago Williams, who grew up in a fishermen's family in Kalk Bay, was in the same position as the boys he has under his wing.
He joined the sailing school three years ago.
"I was 19 and spent my days hanging around with my friends outside the shops. One day I was approached by the local police and asked if I wanted to learn how to sail.
"From the first day I was hooked and I have never looked back. My friends? They all dropped out."
The project's aim is to teach the children life skills and to give them the perspective of a brighter future.
"They learn sailing skills, including sail-making, boat-building and how to maintain boats," Williams said.
"We want to broaden their employment opportunities.
"We want all our students to have a skipper's ticket one day, so they can sail and work on any boat they want."
Williams said that, besides giving the youngsters a chance to a brighter future and to keep on sailing, he would like to have his Yacht Masters certificate one day.
"I would really like to sail abroad," he said.
