Footprints 4 Sam Super Sam Hero Vehicle Project

Time really does fly!

The last report I wrote to update you all on our Footprints 4 Sam Super Hero Vehicles we were heading into one of the coldest and nastiest winters that Cape Town has ever faced! 

Sadly, our drivers faced treacherous conditions and I am so proud to say that with our strict policies of “your safety and passenger safety first” -  they brought themselves home safely and their young charges and their caregivers each and every day.  On the days that were too dangerous everyone stayed home – it was just not worth the risk but sadly then our beneficiaries also miss vital appointments.

This is where I focussed our last report, our incredible drivers, and I am pleased to say that although there were one or two weird and wonderful incidents such as a fridge going into the back of our vehicle (Long strange story) and another incident where the back window shattered, I am pleased to say that nobody was hurt and the drivers are now heading into Spring and Summer and I am sure are letting out a big sigh of relief!

They can now hopefully get some relief from the incessant cold and rain that they have been navigating with skill and precision these past few months.

As spring is here so too are the beautiful spring blossoms and everything has a much lighter and happier note across the Country.  The past few months have seen great celebration with Mandela Day where we all celebrate our magnificent Madiba’s Birthday - Footprints 4 Sam was proud to work with an incredible school, St Cyprians in Cape Town where the junior school packed 80 Footprints 4 Sam Food buckets and then personally delivered some of these buckets a few weeks later with our drivers to one of the hospitals we support.  I was also able to bring awareness to this special School of children who need their love and support.

We also celebrated the fact that we have now passed the 12 000 passenger mark and this is truly remarkable! - Spring is all about love, kindness, sharing, generosity and celebration – all made possible through all the amazing stakeholders that we have supporting this key initiative which gives daily to so many.

This report is short and sweet, since like Spring I simply would like it to be a celebration of thanks - Something light and bright to bring you hope as you open this mail.

Thank you for all that you do to make this key initiative possible.  With your ongoing support we continue to grow this incredible initiative and see the blessings that these vehicle’s bring daily to our beneficiary families .

Wherever you are in the world - Close your eyes - Where we are: Spring has sprung!  Take a deep breath in and smell the love!

Warmest wishes,

Melissa

This time of year is always an interesting time of year as we go into Autumn and the weather starts to get colder.  At Footprints 4 Sam it brings all types of additional concerns for our young beneficiaries because they now also have to brave the colder weather together with their other daily healthcare challenges.  That is why this incredible Super Sam Hero Vehicle initiative always gives me hope because at least I know that our Team is there to support these young beneficiaries and their families by ensuring that they have transport to make their healthcare journey better no matter the weather.  Plus we are able to ensure that they can get to their appointments without having to brave the elements on their own.  (Cape Town’s winters can be quite something!)

So naturally this brings me to our incredible drivers who really are the SUPERSTARS of the show and without whom our vehicles would not be able to have the incredible daily impact that they do.  

Humbert and Sonwabo are our A-Team and have been for years, but sadly, since I last reported Sonwabo has resigned just before his celebration of his third year with us.  We are so very grateful to Sonwabo and would like to take this opportunity to thank Sonwabo for all that he has done to support Footprints for Sam over the years and for all the smiles that he brought to so many of our young passengers.  He is already missed and his shoes will be hard to fill.  

Humbert our driving Supervisor is going into his 6^th year with us.  This month on the 4^th of May, Humbert also celebrated his birthday and he has been holding the fort brilliantly and steadfastly while we recruit a new driver.  One can imagine that finding someone with the right qualities and characteristics is no small feat given how unique and also taxing this role can be.  Our drivers not only have to be excellent drivers but they also have to be kind and compassionate human beings.  They also have to be resilient and able to face the daily emotional strain of working with vulnerable children and families.  Our passengers have to be treated like “Very Important Persons” at all times! – We like to offer them a moment of peace and calm amidst all the daily challenges and hardships they face.

BUT - that said we are also mindful that this also takes a toll on our Team as they transport our beneficiaries day in and day out.  Building relationships and friendships that carry many of these families through the tough hardships of all they face.

So today’s report is simply a celebration of two wonderful human beings.  Join me in saying thank you to them and wish us well as we continue with our recruitment process.  The Super Sam Hero Vehicle initiative is an ongoing blessing to so many – each day bringing smiles and love to so many, not to mention buckets of food and toiletries too!  To date we have transported over 11 200 passengers!

Thank you ALL for your support and ongoing kindness without you the wheels cannot continue turning and very importantly we could not afford to pay our amazing drivers who make it all happen!!