The Power of Caring and Reciprocity

Jenny is an open ocean kayaker. She utilizes her watercraft skills to search for and monitor wild bee colonies in coastal regions, along rivers and flood zones. As someone frequenting the wild ocean surrounding the South African Cape Peninsula, Jenny is very familiar with and supports the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute). The NSRI is a non-profit rescue organization comprised of courageous volunteers who risk their lives to rescue others on South African waters. Most recently, Jenny organized a fundraiser to replace a rescue vessel stolen from her local NSRI station 16 in Strandfontein. Theft and violence are pervasive in the impoverished community within which Station 16 resides. Most of Station 16's rescue force are from this community and it is recognized as one of the most disciplined and well trained units within NSRI. Massive winter storms have pummelled the Bloukrans farm in the Karoo (one of Jenny's wild bee research sites) in the last weeks resulting in flooding of the Buffels River. The fast moving current of the swollen river prevented access to the only road leading off the farm, leaving the farmer stranded and unable to get to Cape Town (300km away) for a medically necessary operation. Jenny contacted Station 16 commander, Nikki, who immediately intercepted 2 officers travelling to Durban and asked them to detour to the farm and execute a swift current evacuation of the farmer. 5 1/2 hours after their arrival the 2 NSRI members had successfully completed an operation normally requiring 6 personel and the farmer was safely on her way to Cape Town. Caring humans working together can achieve amazing things.