From candle-lighting ceremonies to tough climbs: our Grové Schoombee Foundation team walked to shine a light on human trafficking.
On Friday, 5 September, five of us – Suliztha, Anjé, Sandra, Marius and Yolanè – took on the Notties 100 in Nottingham Road in the Natal Midlands. It’s not just an ordinary walk or run; it’s an event that raises awareness for the fight against human trafficking and raises funds for Unchain our Children, an organization close to our hearts at the Grové Schoombee Foundation.
The format of the event makes it something really unique. It runs from 2pm on Friday to 2pm on Saturday, and participants can choose to walk, run, or cycle 25km, 50km, 75km, or even 100km. We took on the 25km walk.
At the starting point, local schoolchildren welcomed participants with traditional dance routines and formed a tunnel of honour for everyone to walk through as the race began. Their presence brought energy and meaning to the start of the event. On Saturday, these same children also joined in by walking the final 25km. A generous donor equipped them with new running shoes, making it possible for them to participate fully and share in the experience.
Along the way, the challenge was softened by the beauty of the landscapes around us. Rolling green hills, wide open skies, and the golden glow of a spectacular sunset reminded us why this part of the country is so special. The scenery wasn’t just breathtaking — it gave us fresh energy to keep going.
There were also moments of quiet and reflection. Out on the road, with nothing but the sound of footsteps, there was space to remember why we were doing this — to fight for the vulnerable and to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Sharing the experience with friends who carry the same passion made it even more meaningful.
When we finally crossed the finish line, the victory was made sweeter by the warm welcome of delicious chicken soup and hot chocolate waiting for us. A simple reminder that endurance is always followed by comfort, and that light always comes after darkness.
One of the most moving parts of the event was the candle-lighting ceremonies. Each of us had the opportunity to write a personal message and light a candle for someone trapped in human trafficking. It was a sobering reminder that this isn’t just an issue “out there” – it’s about real people, real lives, real suffering.
The statistics are staggering: over 50 million people worldwide are trapped in modern slavery today, and about one in three victims are children. Human trafficking generates more than $150 billion every year – making it one of the most lucrative criminal industries in the world. And in South Africa, vulnerable children are especially at risk, lured with promises of safety, education, or work. Most of us know these things in theory, but the truth is so painful that society often turns away. We don’t want to face it. But silence and avoidance only give darkness more power.
That’s why this walk mattered. It was a chance to step outside our comfort zones, to say with our feet and our actions what words often fail to capture: these lives are worth fighting for.
Sandra, who walked alongside us, captured the heart of the experience in words that speak for themselves:
“Unchain me so I can unchain those behind me.
I walked till my legs tremble so I break some of the chains made by those that lack empathy.
Let me not add hope, rather let me give hope.
In the solitude and silence of my presence add the essence of full strength to open the door of those trapped in the syndicate of unimaginable suffering.
No being in me will wait to be unchained for I know I will break through the darkness to get those children unchained.
Unchain our children so the Daybreak light can soothe the light for those that came through the darkness.”
Her words are a reminder that this is more than an event, more than a walk – it’s about pushing through the pain to shine a light into the darkest corners of our world.
Anjé, who also walked with us, shared her own reflections:
“This past weekend I took part in the Notties 100 in Nottingham Road, organised by Unchain Our Children, a foundation that fights for the freedom of children who are trafficked and exploited. My reason for joining was simple, because I am free, I want to use my freedom to stand in the gap for those who are not. At Daybreak we work with vulnerable children every day, and I know firsthand how important it is to fight for the lives of those who cannot fight for themselves. Walking 25 kilometres was not just a physical challenge, it was also deeply spiritual. The last few kilometres were incredibly tough, and there were moments when I felt like giving up. But each time, I reminded myself of the children I was walking for. The ones held captive, voiceless, and without anyone to defend them. I realised that if we give up on them, there may be no one else to keep fighting. Every step became a declaration that their lives matter, that their freedom is worth pushing through the pain for. In the end, the team and I crossed the finish line, exhausted but determined, and I was reminded that just as we didn’t give up on the walk, we cannot give up on the fight for the children of our country who are still waiting to be set free.”
The event was incredible. From Breaking the Darkness, the organizers, to the welcoming Nottingham Road community, to every single person who walked, ran, or cycled their chosen distance – the spirit was contagious. The scenery was breathtaking, and the sense of unity in purpose was powerful.
We are also thankful for the thoughtful support given to our team and the Grové Schoombee Foundation by Luuks, Kaross Travel, Kioni, and Miss Flores Gifts and Décor. Their beautiful gifts of encouragement and sponsorships for future fundraising made this journey even more enjoyable.
And above all, we are grateful to Unchain our Children, who don’t just fight once a year at an event like this, but who fight every single day for those trapped in trafficking. They are the ones carrying this battle forward, and it’s an honour to walk in support of their mission.
We’re not stopping here. We’re already committed to doing it again next year – and this time, we’re hoping to take an even bigger team from the Grové Schoombee Foundation to stand, walk, and raise our voices together. Because this fight doesn’t end with one walk, one event, or one voice. It continues until every child, every woman, every man trapped in trafficking is free.
You can be part of this fight too. Support organizations like Unchain our Children, raise awareness, and don’t look away from the hard truths. And if you’re able, join us at next year’s Notties 100. Together, we can help break the darkness.
