JOY AT SEA: Inland children, from left, back, Rebecca, 13, Sphamandla, 12, and Kgomotso, 10, and, front, Nakita, 8, and Munko, 10, have the time of their lives on a boat cruise yesterday. Picture: EUGENE COETZEE
FIVE Johannesburg orphans who saw the sea for the first time while on holiday in Port Elizabeth this week had an unforgettable experience on a marine boat cruise yesterday.
Dominique Byrne, 48, owner of motor spares firm Goldwagen in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, decided to bring five excited children to the Bay for a week during their school holidays.
“I volunteer at a children’s home in Johannesburg.
“The home chose the five children who had had the least privileges in their lives so far,” she said.
“Since they are from Johannesburg, they had never seen the sea before and I wanted to do something special for them,” Byrne said.
When she saw the children’s reaction to seeing the ocean from their aircraft, she was overwhelmed with joy.
“As we were flying over the coastline to Port Elizabeth, we saw waves breaking.
“One of the children asked if those were animals – they did not know it was the sea.”
Byrne said she had chosen the Bay because it is quiet. She was grateful to the charter firm for the cruise.
“Raggy Charters sponsored the cruise. They didn’t even hesitate when I asked.
“I think it’s a true act of kindness when you know the recipient can never repay you.”
The children have spent the past few days at the beach, the Boardwalk and Bayworld, and plan to visit Samrec to see the penguins.
Sphamandla, 12, one of the children from the home which Byrne did not want to name, said the beach was more beautiful than he had imagined.
“I’m very happy I got to see creatures I’ve never seen before.”
Rebecca, 13, said: “It has been a nice experience. I haven’t seen the sea or been on a boat before.”
Munko, 10, said she would never forget her cruise experience.
“It was so nice. The dolphins we saw were my favourite – they are friendly.”
-Sashika Pillay
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