Families‘ 4x4-year adventure across the globe
By Tabelo Timse	Published:Feb 01, 2007
WHAT started as a dream to travel through Africa has turned into a four-year trip around the world for three Port Elizabeth doctors and their families. Globeriders Cape2Cape team leader Dr Dean Allie said the group would embark on their journey early in March. He said the 11-member team comprising seven adults and four children aged between two and nine planned to cover just about the entire globe by 4x4 from this year until 2010. He said the children would be home-schooled by their mothers who had been preparing a curriculum for the past year. The Globeriders will cover five continents, 74 countries and 130 000km. Allie said the group had been planning the trip for two-anda-half years, and that “now that the departure is imminent, we feel very nervous, but also very happy to spread the word of peace, love and hope to 74 countries.” Among them they have expertise in medicine, pharmacy, engineering, entrepreneurship, information technology and human resources. The purpose of the journey is to fulfil a dream shared by the group, but also for them to be ambassadors for their community, their city, South Africa and the continent. “Globeriders realise the responsibility this role carries, and are excited to spread the message of Ubuntu, the South African philosophy of ‘humanity‘ and promote a sense of interconnectedness globally,” he said. Finally, the Globeriders‘ plan is to actively promote South Africa as a tourism destination, and spread the message of “South Africa, alive with possibility”. Because of the medical expertise among the Globeriders, they also plan to use their skills to the benefit of people they meet along their journey, especially in terms of medical advice and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. They will also freely dispense advice in their various other areas of expertise. The Globeriders are already backed by the International Marketing Council as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs. Allie said in order to successfully undertake this journey, the Globeriders needed extensive support, both logistically and financially. “A home office will be set up in South Africa, where full-time staff will provide 24-hour support, in terms of administration, communications and emergency back-up,” he said. Fundraising events, in aid of the Globeriders are to be held around Port Elizabeth. ttimse@johnnicec.co.za