Wenners van die Looitjie Trekking

-M du Toit & A Tudhope-

Ter stywing van Willem du Toit se fondsinsamelingsprojek om Amerika toe te kan gaan, het ons `n fiets en `n skildery uitgeloot vanaf Oktober verlede jaar. Op Maandag, 29 Januarie 2007, is die gelukkige nommers tydens Hoërskool Zwartberg se saalbyeenkoms getrek.

Die geel resiesfiets (geskenk deur John en Sonia McKenna) is gewen deur Chester Mopiley, Loopstraat 204,Prince Albert. Die skildery (geskenk deur Ailsa Tudhope) is gewen deur Mev. Babsie Mulder, Klipstraat, Prince Albert. Albei wenners was baie bly oor die groot geluk wat hulle getref het.

Willem en sy familie is nog steeds besig om pannekoek op die Saterdagmark te verkoop. Ons is baie dankbaar vir die gemeenskap se ondersteuning en kan met groot dankbaarheid getuig dat ons reeds oor die halfpadmerk met ons poging is. Ons benodig ongeveer R30 000 en het reeds R16 000 ingesamel. Die vliegtuigkaartjie vir 15 Julie 2007 is reeds bespreek en betaal. Toe ons op 16 Januarie aangemeld het by die Amerikaanse konsulaat in die Kaap vir Willem se visum het ons weereens besef hoe klein die wêreld is en hoe groot God se Voorsienigheid is in Willem se fondsinsamelingprojek.

The du Toit family had tried to obtain Willem’s visa the previous week, but on arrival at the Embassy for their pre-arranged appointment they found the gates locked and a notice informing them the Embassy had been closed for the day due to unforeseen circumstances. The family had no choice but to return to Prince Albert and drive all the way to Cape Town again the following week for another appointment. Three hours queuing brought them to a counter where thick security glass separated them from the man who would decide whether or not Willem received a visa, the conversation would take place through a telephone handset. The official indicated that he needed to speak to the applicant, not his parents, so Willem picked up the ’phone.

He was thoroughly questioned (in English) as to his reasons for visiting the USA. The official expressed concern that attending the Eisenhower People to People Leadership Summit would be extremely costly – where was the money to come from?

“Well,” said Willem, “that’s a long story. My family and I have been fundraising, I have been working at my school’s tuckshop and every weekend I make and sell pancakes.”

The American wanted to know what pancakes were. Willem forged on, explaining how he makes pancakes.

The official suddenly beamed: “Well Mr du Toit, the pancakes you make are delicious, my wife and children and I really enjoyed the ones we ate last weekend at your stall in Prince Albert.”

So “pannekoeke” assume a new significance – at the right time and place they can even open a door to the USA. Willem and the du Toit family are very grateful for all the support they have received and hope that you will continue to buy pancakes to send Willem to the Eisenhower Summit.