The social workers at Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom each carry responsibility for around 37 children. They work closely with child carers to implement individual development plans to give each child the opportunity to grow and flourish.

Unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough time in a week to engage with each child individually. For this reason, exposure to alternative activities is one way in which our social workers attempt to monitor each child’s development and functioning.

Elize Sauer, one of our social workers, decided to take the children in her care for walks. What began as casual Friday afternoon strolls in town grew in 2024 into their first official hiking trail in the Waterberg.

The children completed a route of approximately 3.5 km, experiencing the wonders of nature. Since then, they have walked a total of 13.5 km on trails in the area – some of which tested their endurance, with routes crossing mountains, rocks, and streams.

At the start of 2025, the group size doubled when many new Grade 1 children joined. The group was therefore divided into two:

Group 1: Grades 1–3

Group 2: Grades 4–7

Elize and her husband, who supports her in the project, now complete the route twice a month – an easier trail for the junior group, and a more challenging and longer trail for the senior group.

“The children learn so much while walking – not just to love and respect nature, but also to discover themselves and their abilities. They quickly learnt that endurance means going further than your legs may want to carry you. Problem-solving skills are regularly put to the test when obstacles must be overcome,” says Elize.

The walking trails also offer precious opportunities to form new friendships, build teamwork, and provide support – life lessons that could never be learnt in an office.

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” (Henry Thoreau)

Step by step, we are giving these children the wings to rise above the often harsh world they find themselves in.