We once asked our readers ‘what are you doing at the end of May? ‘The organisers of a 5 Day Trek to reach the summit of Toubkal, Marrakech – the highest mountain in North Africa – were on the lookout for recruits and we were happy to help.
Saying ‘yes’ is one thing – preparing for the grueling event is another entirely…
With 8 weeks to go until they embark on this ‘challenge of a lifetime’, Asa Shelton and Rakesh Ladva of Gem Vending have been pushing themselves in an effort to provide Homes4Life for the forgotten and homeless disabled orphans from The Noel Orphanage in Nyundo, Rwanda. The trek will be from the 23rd May 2016 – 27th May 2016 and will be physically challenging and requires lots of training.
During 2012, the Rwandan Government’s policy was to close all of its state orphanages and restore abandoned children and orphans back to distant family members or foster families. Unfortunately this left 24 disabled children and youth abandoned with no solution for their future. With disability still seen as a stigma and shame these young people are the lowest priority.
The Gallagher Trust, supported by The Point Foundation, are now managing and funding ‘Homes4Life’, a community-based living programme to restore these broken lives and provide a safe family environment, improving nutrition and above all restoring respect and dignity, free from institutional life.
The Gallagher Trust’s Chairman, Sharon Gallagher (who is also GEM Vending’s Customer Care Manager), told PV ‘our aim is to provide Homes4Life through our programme, which means constant fundraising to secure money to pay for the next month’s care. With the support of people like Rak and Asa, who are prepared to challenge themselves, we can continue to change lives. No longer shut away from the world, the abandoned children are blossoming and becoming part of the community. With the help of people like Rak & Asa, and your support, we can continue to provide them with real homes for life.’
Rakesh Ladva joined the GEM Sales Team in June 2013 and has not only demonstrated his zest for life and fun, but a real compassion helping others where he can, now he’s really putting himself out there. Asa Shelton is an Apprentice Engineer, joining GEM Vending in 2015 . He has added an element of youth and an ‘enthusiasm for everything new’ to our technical team. At just 18 years old he is totally embracing the challenge.
Rakesh and Asa are not alone… Vendman staff are also preparing for the challenge, as you can read here.
Planet Vending is pleased to support those who have embraced this tough, tough challenge. You can help too: go to the appropriate ‘Just Giving’ page please, and pledge your support.
To support Rakesh, click here
To support Asa, click here
Gem Vending has set up a page that enables us to follow Rakesh and Asa’s progress. Its here.
