Retired neurosurgeon, Dr André Hattingh, is travelling over 2 500km along pothole-riddled dirt roads and unmaintained alternative routes on a Mahindra 86-110 tractor, at a speed of less than 26kph, across six provinces in 14 days with nothing but dedication and his passion to fulfil a promise.
Dr Hattingh is the CEO and founder of Paediatric Care Africa, an organisation that works hand in hand with governments, statutory organisations and communities to deliver food, emergency and medical equipment, medical assistance and medicines to communities in need.
The organisation was established in 2017 and is a fully registered NGO / NPO in South Africa, with offices and registration in the Netherlands as well. It does not receive any financial assistance or grants from the South African Government and has to fully generate its own income and funds, hence the On-Track-Tor For Charity challenge.
“The promise to help children who are sick, hungry and defenceless was made by me many years ago. And since then, I have resolutely made my promise to help our children, even if it means riding on a tractor for 2 500km myself to be able to do so. Our children need help and it may be your child or your neighbour’s child in desperate need next time. Trouble and disease do not ask your permission first.”
Dr Hattingh said that their calls for assistance have increased due to the dramatic increase in the number of people in Mpumalanga and the rest of SA losing their jobs and the deteriorating economy in general.
“We receive many more calls for medical assistance and baby food. Our donation income has shrunk markedly since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, while the demand for our services skyrocketed by 600%,” said Dr Hattingh.
The 2 500km tractor ride for charity simultaneously focuses on three very important issues – the desperate need for medical treatment for children in SA; the huge number of children killed every year in SA and the lack of international attention on the ever-increasing farm murders in SA.
“Myself and my team are here to create awareness and collect funds for children in SA who require medical treatment and surgeries. Since our inception in 2017, we have supplied free medical care to 6 797 persons during outreaches; 1 327 children were taken by us to see a private medical practitioner or specialist and 116 children received free surgeries. We also distributed 409 000kg of food parcels, 6 023 tins of baby formula and 7 023 packets of baby porridge to children in need. We aim to raise at least R250 000 to be able to help children who require urgent medical care, but I want to hit the million rand mark.”
This challenge takes tremendous mental and physical strength as the journey across various rocky terrains and harsh environments is a truly taxing and exhausting endeavour. “The first 1 000km is driven with your body, the rest is all a mind game,” said Dr Hattingh, who had made a quick stop-over at the Colenso Club where he was welcomed by local farmers and members of the community.
Locals and farmers told The Ladysmith Herald that not all heroes wear capes, and Colenso Club welcomed Dr Hattingh with breakfast and other farmers showed their support by making donations towards his worthy cause.
Dr Hattingh is joined on his journey by a camera crew and Pastor TJ Maré, who assists with working out routes and helping with fundraising. He said that the highlight of the challenge is not only the great scenic routes that he and his team experience, but also the people he meets along the way from different communities, who kindly give donations and assist wherever possible.
“It is these people who make extreme challenges like these, well worth it. Also, let’s not forget the children to whom we can give a fighting chance by providing essential and life-changing medical treatment.”
Dr Hattingh told The Ladysmith Herald that living in SA is not easy, but if you want to see a change, it has to start with you. “No matter how big or small; it can start with picking up a piece of paper or providing a sandwich to a friend or even a neighbour.”
Dr Hattingh added that South Africans are a strong nation and have forgotten how strong they really are. “We can sit around in a bad mood because our leaders are not making the changes that we so seek or we can help ourselves and see the changes made by us.”
Another fundraising initiative by Dr Hattingh is his seventh cook book, which sees all proceeds donated to the On-Track-Tor For Charity challenge. “The recipe book is filled with great stories and delicious, easy meals to make at home.”
Thousands of children in rural / agri communities don’t have access to proper medical care, to learn more visit www.pediatriccareafrica.org or contact the Paediatric Care Africa office on 076-229-5663 or info@pediatriccareafrica.org.
