In 2016, Climb any Mountain created a different way of giving a gift at Christmas. The ‘Gift an experience’ cause helps us to give those we support in South Africa the chance to do something they ordinarily wouldn’t have the opportunity to do.
Working with our partners in South Africa and thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide 100 gift experiences to the residents of the Pietermaritzburg Mental Health Society. These activities included going to the mall for coffee with friends, trips to the movies, going to watch a live rugby match, learning to read and write and taking part in craft lessons – to name a few!
For many of us, these may seem to be ordinary everyday activities but for most people with intellectual disability or mental illness living in an institution these simple life choices are just not available. That’s why we were delighted to hear that the gift experiences were so well received and have made a huge impact in the lives of everyone who took part in the activities. Not only have they helped to break up the monotony of everyday life, but there is such a huge appetite to learn and create, which is so satisfying to know.
We are so pleased with the success of these gift experiences so far and would love to continue and expand the number of activities available to even more people. So for 2017, we have a goal of tripling the number of special experiences we are able to give to the people we support.
We have also taken feedback from users and staff at the Pietermaritzburg Mental Health Society and have added four new gifts to the offering. These are:
- attending a local soccer/football game
- fortnightly soccer/football classes
- weekly swimming classes
- monthly gardening club.
By purchasing a gift experience (or even a few), you will be making a huge and lasting impact that goes way beyond Christmas.
With thanks
Kim Danks – Founder
