Pennyville is a newly developed area on the outskirts of Soweto, Johannesburg. The first fully integrated mixed housing development in South Africa consisting of almost 3000 RDP partly subsidised and rental units. It has become a beacon of hope for not only the residents but all stakeholders, government and various other investment companies. The project proved that a mixed housing development can be successful. There are thousands of families in Pennyville who now own or rent their first home. For many, a shack or poorly built room was their only previous option.

Community Challenges
Many underprivileged people in lower income groups finally have homes they can be proud of. Sadly however, it does not take away the fact that they still live below the bread line, as many of them are unemployed or live on grants or pensions. Within Pennyville there are close to a thousand kids who live with their families or grandparents with limited resources for the vital requirements to nurture and raise these little ones properly. This is evident when you see how a woven plastic bag becomes a soccer ball or soft drink cans are imaginatively turned into makeshift cars to play in. Most of these children will, if not helped, end up as just “another statistic” in the increasing numbers of unemployed and uneducated.

It was for this reason that the developer and local corporates decided to build the 1st of 3 planned crèches in Pennyville. The Pennyville crèche was opened in early 2009 and it soon became clear how the crèche was improving the lives of these little ones.

It provides a place of safety and fun where children can get three meals a day and be taught the basics that every child should know. The good start, which these kids receive, will enable them to make something of their lives; they know that by learning they could one day become leaders.

When the first was opened (at a cost of close to 4 million rand), the teachers soon realised that the R140.00 monthly fee per child was unaffordable to their parents or those who are raising them. As it is, these folks are struggling to put food on their tables and the added expense of a crèche fee was just not an option. But Josephine and her partners never turned a single child away. As a result of very little monthly income from the community and no government support this lighthouse in the area was on a slippery slope.

The Challenge is born
Darren Herbst and Alwyn Muller had assisted the crèche since it opened through their involvement with the Pennyville development so they decided to make a difference. The 14 Check Challenge was born. They approached two of their friends with the idea of competing in 14 very tough races in 16 weeks to raise awareness and equipment for the crèche. The Challenge was to prove that everyone can, with a little effort, make a difference in others’ lives. The Challengers were everyday businessmen with families and responsibilities but managed to launch the project!

The 2009 Challenge Launched
Within three weeks after the idea came to mind, the 14 Check Challenge was launched. There was no time for months of planning and marketing; the crèche was in dire need. Through friends, family and business partners, the Challengers managed to raise the initial capital required to embark on what eventually would be a journey of a lifetime. On 12 September 2009 the first Challenge started and over the 16 weeks that followed they completed some of the toughest races in South Africa including the 94.7 Cycle Challenge, Outsurance Expedition, The BSG Energade Triathlons, The OFM Classic and the Ironman 703 Triathlon.

A Resounding Success
At each event they raised awareness for the Pennyville crèche and collected pledges. Interest from the public, media and race organisers was immediate and support started streaming in. Over 16 weeks thousands of people were exposed to the initiative and the Challenge was a resounding success. The Challengers had raised the funds needed to provide some of the essential equipment and - with the sponsors that had joined the cause - have managed to provide the crèche with security for a prolonged period.