To display community spirit and perseverance, young people from Kariega came together for the annual “I Can” tower drive charity event recently. The tower, which measures donations in metres, saw learners collect items that reached an impressive equivalent of 195 metres, easily surpassing last year’s 129-metre achievement.
The event, organised by R Model Management & Agency, challenged students to gather as many donated goods as possible, with the collection’s “height” representing the volume and quantity of charitable items before distributing them to those in need throughout Kariega and surrounding areas.
“What these young people accomplished was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Raynaldo Bredenkamp, founder of R Model Management & Agency. “They faced multiple setbacks, yet showed remarkable resilience. It took the models several attempts over just more than an hour to organise and account for all the donations, and watching them problem-solve in real time was truly inspiring.”
The challenge required careful planning and teamwork, with participants collecting more than 1000 units of canned goods that formed the foundation of their tower of donations. The endeavour wasn’t without its difficulties, as the massive scale of sorting and categorising threatened to overwhelm the volunteers.
“Some of them wanted to give up as the collection process became challenging,” Bredenkamp noted. “I was able to compare that obstacle with real-life challenges we all face. Sometimes tasks we’ve carefully planned become overwhelming, but what matters is finding the courage to persevere. That’s the lesson I hope they carry forward.”
The drive collected an abundance of essential items for vulnerable community members. The haul included over 1000 cans of goods, more than 400 sanitary pads, over 50 baby nappies, 100-plus shoe boxes filled with various products, more than 100 toothbrushes, over 100 face cloths, and numerous clothing items.
The event highlighted Uitenhage High School’s (where the learners are from) commitment to community service, with active participation from school leadership, staff, and students. The school’s principal, management team, caretaker, and kitchen staff were acknowledged for their warm reception and support throughout the day.
Mr and Miss Inter-School Nelson Mandela Bay Finalists 2025 played significant roles in the success of the event, demonstrating leadership qualities that extended beyond their titles. Their involvement represented the drive’s emphasis on nurturing community-minded young leaders.
“I am extremely proud of the models and parents, as well as the community who joined hands in this project,” Bredenkamp said. “They truly showed me that Kariega’s heart beats for humanity. This wasn’t just about collecting items; it was about bringing people together for a greater purpose.”
Local photographer Natuscha November captured the historic achievement, documenting both the challenges and triumphs throughout the day. “The images will serve as both a record of the accomplishment and inspiration for next year’s participants, who will face the daunting task of exceeding the new benchmark,” Bredenkamp proudly said.
The logistics of collecting and distributing such a substantial amount of donations required significant coordination. Volunteers Siham Salie and Muslima Fredericks received special recognition for transporting, storing, packing, and unloading the items – critical behind-the-scenes work that ensured the donations would reach their intended recipients.
As the day concluded, attention has already turned to next year’s event, with the 2026 team facing the challenge of surpassing the impressive collection equivalent to 195 metres.
“This initiative has grown beyond our expectations,” Bredenkamp reflected. “What began as a simple charity drive has evolved into a powerful lesson in perseverance, teamwork, and community responsibility. These students aren’t just collecting items; they’re building character and learning what it means to be active citizens who care for others.”
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