What happens when you give street kids in South Africa Carver skateboards, surf lessons, mentoring, and a new focus in life? If the NGO Surfers Not Street Children (SNSC) has it right – a sense of empowerment, community, a positive outlet, and good vibes.
According to their website SNSC “is a project that empowers ex street children as they move towards adulthood.” Because the organization is centered in Durban they have access to world class surf spots and amazing beaches. Leaning on this asset, they use surfing and its related culture as a vehicle to give kids who might otherwise struggle with homelessness, addiction, and other elements of poverty, a better direction in life.
While SNSC has noble intentions, it faces an enormous challenge. South Africa is rife with violent crime, drug proliferation, and disease. As a country its murder rate ranks within the top 10 highest in the world. Because it’s a major port city, Durban itself is at risk of becoming a drug smuggling point of entry for all of southern Africa. And, if that weren’t difficult enough to deal with, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that South Africa also has one of the largest populations of people living with HIV.
And yet there’s hope for kids who connect with SNSC. A while back The Good Brine posted a video featuring the inspirational story of Ntando Msibi. As a child left to his own devices on the streets of Durban his chances of survival were not great. With the help of SNSC, however, he was able to rise above the statistics, develop as a young adult, and tap into his talent in the surf. Click here to watch footage of Msibi surfing and to hear more about his phenomenal story.
Although there are success stories with SNSC, it remains to be seen how big of an impact one organization can have on a city, or even a neighborhood with a complex history riddled with strife. And then again, does it really matter how far it goes if they’re shifting momentum in the right direction? If they can push kids into waves and generate some good energy, or affect the lives of any impoverished children in a positive way, maybe that’s all that really matters.
To learn more about SNSC or to support their cause check out this website.
Footage from the video above is by Magolide, a member of the SNSC Team. Music is by Hugh Madekela, and the clip was edited by Calvin Thompson.
sources and links:
Anine Kriegler Researcher and Doctoral Candidate in Criminology, University of Cape Town. “Murder on the Rise as South Africa Fails to Stem High Crime Rates.” The Conversation. N.p., 20 June 2017. Web. 22 June 2017.
Sabc. “Illegal Drug Trading on the Rise in Durban.” SABC News – Illegal Drug Trading on the Rise in Durban:Wednesday 5 March 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2017.
“Travelers’ Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 June 2017. Web. 22 June 2017.