Kommetjie resident and founder of The Little Optimist Trust, Greg Bertish, is on a quest to raise funds for urgent upgrades needed at a special-needs school.
The Astra School in Montana accommodates pupils with physical and intellectual disabilities.
When Mr Bertish was 30, he was diagnosed with endocarditis, caused by a tropical bacteria that attacked his heart valves. He spent 200 days in hospital recovering from the surgery.
In April 2016, he sailed an 8-foot children’s Optimist dinghy around the Cape of Storms. He crossed False Bay, rounded Cape Point and headed for Langebaan Lagoon on the West Coast. His 200-kilometre journey matched the 200 days he had spent in hospital fighting life-threatening heart infections.
It was this life-changing experience that inspired Mr Bertish to launch The Little Optimist Trust in 2017, and write a children’s book about a little believer with a huge heart. The book teaches children that being small, sick, poor or different is okay.
“The Little Optimist book was created to be a character, a metaphor and vehicle to connect with kids, to promote positive thinking and belief, and to create a passion and purpose to overcome obstacles in life,” Mr Bertish explained.
Each year, The Little Optimist Trust identifies renovation projects, and this year, they’ve selected Astra School, which caters to around 300 pupils aged 5 to 18. The school also has 45 children in a hostel.
According to Mr Bertish, the bathroom facilities at the school are in a poor state.
“Bathing is a challenge for wheelchair users in particular, as the showers are not in working order, and the students are currently unable to shower while seated. The updates to the school’s facilities are important because the learners are already fighting hard for their lives and deserve the comfort of having a proper bathroom facility at their disposal,” he said.
Melanie Mabotha, the school’s principal, said she is thankful for Mr Bertish’s help.
“With this initiative, not only will we finally have working bathrooms again, but this will bring love, hope and positivity to these kids who need this more than anything.”
Mr Bertish is hoping to raise R70 000 to launch the first phase of the renovations. This will allow the organisation to buy the building materials needed to upgrade two bathrooms. Since the project’s launch, more than R24 000 has been raised.
“With additional support, we are optimistic that we will get all hands on deck to start our project in October 2022. We hope that you will join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of these wonderful children, by providing them with the facilities and opportunities that so many of us take for granted,” he said.
The public can donate on BackaBuddy or contact Greg Bertish at info@thelittleoptimist.org
