Diego George

I would like to share the impact Children Aloud’s organisation and programme made upon my life.

I started playing baseball when I was 7 years of age. I played from under 10 up until the age of under 18. I was not the best player, but I was extremely consistent in playing the sport. The camps I attended were excellent and would always be unforgettable. My highlight of Children Aloud’s camp was the father-son camp, where Coach Merlin would step in and be a father for a whole week. That made my bond grow even stronger. Coach Merlin always told me that I was going to be extremely successful if I just relaxed and listened.

Children Aloud basically shaped my life when I was just a kid trying to get fast money at a young age. There were many times I had no motivation to go forward, but in the back of my head, I thought about Coach Merlin always saying how proud he was of me. That made me change my mindset in ways I could never imagine.

I turned all my negativity into positivity.

I joined EVS too, an organisation mainly focused on medical assistance and firefighting.

Sometimes, I look at myself and tell myself I’m proud of the person I’ve become, just by taking the opportunity to listen to Coach Merlin feeding me with advice.

Cole Hendricks

I am 13 years old. I have been with karate since 9years old. I have learnt many things from belonging to karate. We were taught how to care for each other and to keep busy with Karate and keep off the streets. Karate has helped me cope with tough decisions especially bullying at school. It also made me fitter. I also joined baseball when I was 11years old and darts this year. Through the sports thst Children Aloud offers I get to see many places in Cape Town and its opened many doors for me. I have become more confident and outspoken. I have learnt to treat others as I would want to be treated. Our coaches teach us to believe in ourselves and helps us to be better children. My best memory was the PE karste tournament. It was my first time away from home and it was very exciting. I have won many medals and trophy in karate and baseball. I am now a brown belt in Karate. Coach Merlin is like a father to me and I can go to him if I have a problem . He always encourages me.

Samuel Daniels

I am Samuel and I am 13 years old. I have been with the karate club since I was 5 years old. I joined baseball when I was 11years old and now also play junior darts. I was bored at home and had nothing to do. Since joining Children Aloud sports I havd become physically and mentally strong. The camps are the highlight of my sports where we learn respect, attitude,no bullying and never give up and to always try your best in everything you do. I have made many new friends since doing sports. Baseball taught me lots of new skills like not making fun of other children but rather to encourage them. My Sensei was hard in me but he never gave up in me and that makes me work harder… I love going on camps because we have so much fun. My best outing was to the zip zap circus. My baseball coach is funny and makes me laugh. He is like a father to me and always tells us the truth but he is also very strict. I am now a brown belt and will be playing u15 baseball this year.

Keanyn Munnik

I am Keanyn Munnik and I am 16 years old. I have played baseball since Iwas 8years old. My nickname is Kanon because I pitch so fast. Every year at baseball i win many trophies. I am very committed to baseball and I help the coaches with scoring, umpiring and coaching. At the age of 9years old I hit a home run. I never miss out on baseball training and im always the first child on the field. My highlights of my baseball career so far was the home run derby,the camp at Zandvlei when we went on super tubes. I also enjoyed the Melkbos camp when we visited the fire station. Went on big wheel and on the Red City bus. I always remember the Kirstenbosch garden outing because I enjoyed the quiz on animals and plants and they encouraged everyone to dance. The “i am water” excursions were the best as we explored the oceans and rivers of Cape Town. I am lucky because I live in same road as the Children Aloud centre. It is a safe space for me to play darts, table tennis and dominoes on a ftiday night. Children Aloud has made my life so much better. It has taught me to keep my head up and never give up. It taught me about respect and being kind to others and not to bully. I also had the opportunity through aunty Reneè to take part in a movie called Vigilaunties. We went to see the premier of the movie called the heart is a muscle so I have had many opportunities. I also remember the Soetwater camp, the Glencairn rotary camp and the many workshops that I attended to learn about GBV and substance abuse. Coach Merlin is a person I can turn to in time of need. He helps me to build confidence and teaches me good lifeskills