ROSEWOOD Academy, a private education institution based in Windhoek, will take on the mighty Nedbank Desert Dash to raise funds.

The academy, which has approximately 165 students enrolled, is known for its inclusive educational philosophy and is the culmination of 20 years of growth based on integrated education and child-centered teaching and learning.

The academy is asking supporters to sponsor their Desert Dash cycling team to raise money for the academy after a significant drop in tuition income. This, combined with the challenges related to Covid-19, has seen the academy find itself in dire financial straits.

However, Rosewood doesn’t give up, despite these challenges.

“The Nedbank Desert Dash is a uniquely Namibian event that presents the ultimate challenge: cycling through the Namib Desert. We couldn’t imagine a more appropriate event like a fundraiser for a school facing the ultimate challenge of providing affordable and inclusive education to the learners who need it most, ”said Academy Marketing Coordinator Abassier Leukes .

Leukes says Rosewood is looking for sponsors who pledge an amount of N $ 12 for every mile the team travels on the 393 km course.

“This means that if the Rosewood Academy team finishes the race, we will accumulate approximately the monthly tuition fee of one learner from each sponsor, total per sponsor N $ 4,716. And although this is our target amount per sponsor, any sponsorship, financial or otherwise, will be highly appreciated, ”says Leukes.

With a team of experienced cyclists namely Allan Vivier, Ian Grassow, Sarel Boshoff and Des Döman, Rosewood is confident that the academy will reach its fundraising goal. The cycling team says it is ready for the challenge and looks forward to the Dash.

After Döman started cycling in 2014 to improve his fitness, he started to really love cycling and competed in his first Dash in 2014. Since then he has achieved podiums in the four-man and four-way categories. of them. This year’s race will be his eighth Desert Dash.

“The training is going very well, although we will never be as fit as we would like. During the day, you can only do your best.

“Why do we as a team support the school? Giving a hand to a school is a great privilege and an opportunity to build the future. “

Boshoff started cycling to improve his quality of life.

“I started around 2010, I got hooked on the sport and the great cycling community. I’ve been a part of it ever since, and I’ve done the Desert Dash a few times; in a team or solo, it’s always a lot of fun.

Grassow started mountain biking in 2003.

“I have done several Dashs in the past and have been training for most of the year. I just need to take a few extra long trips to perfect myself, ”he says.

Vivier started cycling in 2012 just to lose weight.

“At first I had to push my bike over most of the hills. My weight was 98 kg back then, which I have reduced to around 77 kg now. Cycling has become a healthy addiction. I did my first Desert Dash in 2013 as part of a two man team. Since then, I have completed eight consecutive Dash (four teams of two and four solos).

This will be Vivier’s ninth Dash and his first in a four-man squad.

For more information, contact Abassier Leukes by e-mail at [email protected], 081 642 8521 or rosewood.edu.na.