When my wife, Michele, and I returned from our fourth visit to Londolozi this summer, we were, as always, filled with memories of our incredible experiences. This year’s visit was even more special as we had the opportunity with friends to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Good Work Foundation’s 5th digital learning centre at Dumphries. We were thrilled to see so many youngsters actively engaged in their learning, making use of technology.
Why were we there? Why was this so special? The answers lie in the Londolozi/GWF/Sarasota connection. In fact, we celebrate this connection every other year at our SAFARI SARASOTA event.
Safari Sarasota was created in memory of Leanna Knopik, a 16-year-old native of Sarasota, to raise funds for the All Heart Fund, a fundraising arm of the Good Work Foundation. Leanna passed away nearly one year after visiting (and falling in love with) South Africa. It was her dream to educate and work with children in schools and orphanages in Africa.
“I want to volunteer in Africa. I’ve never been so sure of something in my whole life.” – Excerpt from Leanna’s diary.
Fording the Sand River at Finfoot crossing. Leanna Knopik sits back left with arms raised.
Since 2013, the All Heart Fund, in partnership with the Good Work Foundation, has helped build five schools, providing high impact digital education to over 7,000 South African school children and young adults each week! In July of this year, several of our All Heart Fund founders were on hand to celebrate the opening of the fifth school at Dumphries!
Safari Sarasota was a three-day (Oct. 24-26), five-event experience inspired by Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club travels to Londolozi and a passion to support digital learning in rural areas of South Africa. To this date more than 300 Sarasota residents have travelled the 13500 kilometres to visit Londolozi!
Event host Michael Klauber talks to the Bush Dinner…
Our event this year was attended by Dave & Boyd Varty, Chef Anna Ridgewell, Ranger James Tyrrell, GWF campus manager Fumani Mathumbu, and Kate Groch, the CEO of GWF. Some of the highlights at the auction were the photos donated by the Londolozi rangers. We are very excited with their participation and have generated an additional $250,000 for the All Heart Fund!
You are doing such good work.
Thanks Vin – for sharing our story! It has been a great honor to be able to celebrate Leanna’s dreams through the All Heart Fund and GWF. Being able to see the work that was begun by the Varty family and Kate Groch grow and blossom is inspiring to us all! It was extra special to have Boyd and Dave Varty participate and join us in Sarasota along with James Tyrrell for the first time (and to celebrate the release of Boyd’s new book!). Anna’s incredible Interactive Cooking Dinner at our restaurant and her authentic Bush Dinner under the lanterns and stars (and even a few raindrops!) at Selby Gardens were sensational. Kate and Fumani’s inspirational words at our events told the message of “remimaging education” in a powerful way. You and Michele are wonderful friends and amazing All Heart supporters & board members, and we look forward to our next visit with you to Londolozi and continueing our support for the Good Work Foundation!
PS It was also wonderful to meet so many passionate Londolozi guests who came to Sarasota to join us!
Vin, I love the work does with the GWF!
Bravo to all of you who have made the GWF an important part of your lives through fund raising, travel and spreading the Londolozi ethos. People like you and your Sarasota cohorts represent the good in our world…….
Fantastic , that out of some very dark something good came.
Keep up the good work.
Congratulations on a remarkably successful fundraising plan. And to keep it running through the years is a tribute to the Sarasota families who believe in the Good Work going on at Londolozi! Our hats are off to all!
Vin – What a story! From South Africa to Sarasota and beyond. You and Michele and our entire Sarasota and Londolozi family surprise us, inspire us, humble us and most important, make us smile with your unwavering support and your great sense of adventure and fun.
Back in 2013, if the All Heart Fund committee had told us what we would achieve over the next six years, I’m not sure if we would have been convinced. This small group is growing and we are overwhelmed, but also ready to grow, improve, and dream big for the next six years.
All of our love to you and Michele. And a HUGE thank you to our All Heart Fund family.
Ryan,
We were very pleased with the outcome of this year’s events. Inspired by our attendance at the Dumphries opening, we were able to share the GWF story with our friends & neighbors.
We are very pleased to continue to support your efforts and actually have a meeting on January 5 to debrief the event and discuss the future!