Short Story

My name is Mo Plank

I’m a social runner looking to change lives through running.

On the 15th October, I will be running the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (42km) to raise money for Liv Lukhanyiso in order for them to be able to buy bricks to build homes and a community centre for orphaned and vulnerable children.

I first learnt about LIV Lukhanyiso Village in 2014, when the company I worked for were involved in their soup kitchen. Meeting them, hearing their stories impacted me more than I realised and ever since then I have wanted to help. Then in 2021 I heard that they had been donated some land to build on, and saw the plans they had for this land. I was already planning on running the Icons Marathon and decided to run for a purpose greater than myself. Sadly due to a knee and ligament injury I wasn’t able to run the marathon then, but I am ready now.

Partner with me to activate generosity, by donating a minimum of R3 per KM or donating a once off amount now.

Grahamstown, South Africa

Runs for Lives – Run for LIV Lukhanyiso

R4,909.00 Raised
10 Backers
Raised:
4.77%
Goal: R103,000.00
Minimum amount is R Maximum amount is R
R
1 Campaigns | 0 Loved campaigns

Story

Liv Village is a long term cluster foster care, where children have a sense of belonging in a supportive community. They place orphans and vulnerable children in a family environment where all their needs are met by taking a holistic approach to physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

Lara founded LIV Lukhanyiso after having met LIV Village Founder, Tich Smith in 2011 at a Watoto Choir evening in Ballito where he shared the LIV Vision for South Africa.

In 2013 Lara packed up her successful corporate career to pursue a God given dream – to run a marathon on every continent in the world in one year to raise awareness and funds to buy land and build a LIV Village in her home town of Grahamstown (now named Makhanda). Lara completed all seven marathons and raised R200,000 in the process.

In 2014 the perfect piece of land (33ha) was found for the village, but unfortunately it was not for sale. Undeterred, Lara approached the land owner and offered the R200 000 as a deposit to purchase the land, assuring the owner that she would raise the balance of the funds to purchase the land.  In August of that same year, the land owner contacted Lara and donated the land for LIV Lukhanyiso.

“Lukhanyiso” means light in isiXhosa and that is what we want to be, a light to the city of Grahamstown/Makhanda and to the nation and to point people to the Father in heaven.

Liv Village’s vision is to Rescue a child, Restore a life, Raise a leader and Release a star. To learn more about the incredible work they do, please watch the video below:

Name Donate Amount Date
Anonymous R200.00 March 28, 2023 7:21 am
Anonymous R100.00 October 15, 2022 12:06 pm
Anonymous R100.00 October 14, 2022 3:31 pm
Anonymous R500.00 July 18, 2022 5:58 am
Anonymous R309.00 July 12, 2022 9:33 am
Anonymous R1,000.00 July 11, 2022 5:07 pm
Anonymous R200.00 July 11, 2022 11:41 am
Anonymous R1,000.00 July 7, 2022 7:46 pm
Anonymous R500.00 July 6, 2022 4:59 am
Anonymous R1,000.00 June 3, 2022 12:24 pm