Irene A Champion Living In A White Squatter Camp

| April 15, 2013

irene01

For all who are following our work with Irene, the 15 year-old runner who lives in a White squatter camp near Pretoria, South Africa, here’s the news:

On my last trip I went to a school regional track meet where Irene ran in both the 800m and the 1500m races.  She won Gold in both.  I also discovered that she runs barefoot, as do most of the children, because they can’t afford shoes.  The shoes we made for Irene were customized since she has no toes.  They were stolen within days by a drug addict in the camp.  He sold them so we can’t get them back even though we know who he is.  So now she runs with no shoes.

irene03This is where Irene lives.  They eat when there is food.  They bathe where there is water.  But they praise God everyday for what He has given them.

I was told that Irene’s time in the 1500m was 4:48.  The world record for 15-year-olds is 4:00.  She is doing very well.

I also found out that she is in a Special Ed school.  I don’t believe this has anything to do with her abilities.  I think that as a result of the trauma in her life, which we are still investigating, she simply cannot cope with regular classes and in South Africa, the solution is to send all these students, regardless of the real issues, to Special Ed schools. Unfortunately, this turns out to be baby-sitting, not education.  So, one more issue that we must address with Irene.

Please pray for her.  We are doing what we can, thanks to many of you, but the problems are much deeper than we thought.

irene02When Irene was a child, boiling water spilled on her feet.  She lost most of her toes.

For everyone who is following the story about Irene, please read.

1.  I will be back in South Africa in about 10 days.  I am planning to see Irene and her family and do more interviews and video

2. IF YOU MADE ANY CONTRIBUTION toward Irene’s needs, PLEASE SEND ME A SMALL PICTURE OF YOURSELF so that I can show your face to Irene and she will know who it is that has blessed her.  Just send the photo to my email address (with name please).  skipmoen@mac.com   DO IT RIGHT AWAY.

3.  Irene has had pneumonia, not uncommon for her living conditions, but dangerous at 14 years old.  She seems to have recovered after much prayer, etc. but please keep her in your prayers.  I have also learned that as a child she suffered damage to her rib-cage and needs now some support equipment.  It is amazing that she is such an athlete.  So I will investigate this when I get there.

4.  Irene won 2 gold medals on November 2 in spite of the above.  At God’s Table provided her with the registration support.  THANKS

I will give all of you a full report after I see her.

irene04Thank you so much for your compassion.

9 people now have made contributions to Irene’s running.  One person is following up on some other help and one couple even asked about how to get Irene and her family to the USA.

In total, we raised more than $2000 for Irene.

This will go into the At God’s Table bank account in South Africa and be used to sponsor Irene’s entry fees into races.

THANK YOU!  There is hardly anything more satisfying in the world than being the hands and feet of YHWH.

But Irene didn’t quit.  Now Irene runs – fast and far.  She is a champion long distance runner from a place that no one wants to admit even exists in a world where she is a complete outsider.

Each time that Irene runs, people notice.  Each time she wins, she moves just a bit further away from the victimized life of the camps.  Irene is running away from her poverty one race at a time until someone finally sees that she is a winner, an over-comer, a young girl who needs to be given a better opportunity to succeed.

Irene needs sponsors to enter these events.  The government provides nothing, not even school assistance.  But we can help Irene.  Will you join with the rest of the community to become a sponsor of a poor white girl in the midst of a racially motivated government?

Click here to Contact Skip if you want to help Irene.

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Irene A Champion Living In A White Squatter Camp

  1. My name is Lucas Van Der Merwe and I am businessman residing in Hartebeespoortdam SA – I will sponsor all Irene’s needs from medical , schooling and all athletic events. Please contact me and set up a meeting with her parents / Organization and myself ASAP.

    Best Regards
    Lucas

  2. Its so sad to see what this beautiful girl is going through, and In some ways i can relate as my family are also struggling and husband also cant find work and we also living in a caravan park which some people name it a white squatter camp, She has been blessed with a roof over her head, and gifts that she can run and do so well.Her family must be so proud of her, I have two small boys one is 3 and one is 7 and i get up every morning making sure that they have what they need even if it means i must sell everything i have as long as they have a meal and a roof,
    No blame can be given to anyone it is just a set of circumstances, God gives us these obstacles for a reason yes im still trying to figure out what my reason is to be in this situation but i dont blame anyone , i just try my best to get buy each day and say thanks for the blessings i have. So i cant donate anything as i to have nothing but i can say Irene you and your family are in our prayers and dont give up i know easier said than done but you at least have an amazing support system so be greatful for that and you will go very far. God Bless my girl and keep on winning!!!

  3. Irene don’t give up ever. Always believe in yourself. I too fell pregnant to my sweetheart at age 16 and motherhood is the best. But I just watched the interview you did years ago. And it touched my heart. I also just read the latest article about how you have a new addition to your young family. Happy for you. But you should maybe lisen to your mother and when your ready start back up and resume your dream and run your way out of poverty. You are truly an inspiration. I would love to help somehow. Am based in New Zealand. Sending Love to you and your family. God bless.

  6. Thank you for publishing this article.

    We would love to help Irene realise her athletic dream and passion.

    Please contact me

  7. We would like to sponsor Irene an apparel and footwear sponsorship for running and get closer to her. How can we make this happen? This young girl is inspiring.

  10. Please send me your direct email for me to make arrangements to assist and sponsor.I live in the UK. God bless you!

  11. Hi has everyone forgotten that Irene is not the only child in these horrendous conditions. what about the babies who use toilet paper because they dont have nappies? milk is a luxury. Medication is needed. Bless Irene she is talented and thank God there are people out there that want to assist. What i would like to do is open a non profit organization for donations, nappies, milk, wetwipes, medication etc for the babies and todlers in these camps. They are more fragile and dont have an option, are weaker and rely on this. All because the BEE crap these poor family suffer. lets help guys.

  12. Hi I would like to assist and contribute. I would like to make a cash donation and also donate some clothes to Irene, what size is she? Shoes, shirts and pants?

  13. My final comment is that would we get excited over a poor black , Indian or coloured girl who is not pretty without any particular talent? if the answer is no then we have a societal problem.

  14. The info and photos are a bit outdated. The photos are from Coronation Park, and the settlers are now living in Munsieville, a multi racial informal settlement – not whites only as the title suggests.

  17. this is an old, very old story. Irene has in the meantime left school and is a proud teen mom. Baby must now be 3 or 4 years?

  18. Please provide clear instructions on how to contribute with a secure bank account I can donate to.
    I am living in Vienna but grew up in SA and achieved Springbok colors in canoeing. I want to give Irene the same opportunity!
    Truly yours,
    Ralph

  19. I know Irene had a little baby about 2 years ago? Is the baby with her mom? They use to stay in Krugersdorp near the dam? Glad to see that she’s gone back to school! xxx

  21. The last news paper report said that she was pregnant and lost all her sponsors..So how is her baby doing? and did she actually go back to school?

  23. My grandmother always advised me to use onion juice on my hair, but I thought it was a crazy idea. Blow drying can damage hair as can vigorous towel drying as when the hair is wet it is more elastic and vulnerable to breakage. The best secrets to great health is in quality, not quantity.

  24. We stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I should check things out.
    I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a second time.

  25. May God bless this girl, her family, her unfortunate camp she calls home, and all of the white South Africans living under that Nubian regime. I am so thankful to see all of the caring people on here that have poured their support on to this girl and all the people that have brought it to the attention to the world about what’s going on in S.A.

  26. ONLY GOD KNOWS:If it is a rugged false sounding society ― Undisturbed move the greatest calmness and tranquillity everywhere. Take the tired heart by peace. In every aspect of life, all worries are exorcised. Where ever you shall be. Lit the lamp.Be loving a With a broad smile to it. This gladdens and refreshes the heart. Just then, it is God. His calming word ― Can speak, and you could hear it too. The Word that brings healing and life.That endows Grace, To those who in a quiet place yearns therefore.

  30. One day when I am wealthy, I fully intend on sponsoring people like her. I wish I could now, but unfortunately, I hardly have anything myself. I wish her the best, and I hope her life works out, and I hope she gets to run for the Olympics. I’m not a sports person at all, but I know the Olympics is a big deal (obviously). One day, man. I fully intend on helping the people that need help.

  31. Hi Skip,

    I don’t know if you know, but one of the big Afrikaans newspapers picked up the story from this blog on FB and did a feature on Irene, then one of the big Afrikaans TV News agencies did a story as well in the past week – the country fell in love with this girl and help from all over is flooding in … because of this blog.

    Kyknet (Afrikaans TV Channel) – http://kyknet.dstv.com/2013/04/21/help-irene-van-niekerk/
    Beeld (Afrikaans Newspaper) – http://f oto24.co.za/irene-van-niekerk/

    Thank you for making a difference!

  32. What a sad story, I would like to take her into my house in Australia, give her the support she need and education.
    Love and God bless
    Hanna – AUS

  33. Luzette & Skip & whisNews21,

    I had a discussion with the members of my Masonic Lodge and we want to get involved not just for Irene but her family.

    As we have our own charity fund and resources we will not be working through the fund on Skip’s Web site.

    Kingly forward Irene’s parents contact details so our charity committee can make contact.

    Regards,
    Daniel

  34. This is so sad. I urge business men from around the country to open their hearts to assist.

  35. Dear Skip
    Thank you for sharing the story of Irene with the world! I am a white Afrikaans speaking South African lady. If you didnt bring Irene’s story to the world I wouldnt have know about her at all!!! For, in this country, the news media chose not to write about the plight of the poor white Afrikaners in squatter camps. It’s like a forbidden subject. Those brave enough who do so hardly ever follow up on their story.
    Then you came along, saw and did something!
    May God bless you and your work so that you may carry on for many years to come!

  37. The real hero’s are the ones that wanted to help Irene that was not looking for a reason not to help. Skip, and the lady from Kroonstad and everybody that tried to help Irene, thank you. I am prepared to take a white child into my house and give him a chance in life. My e-mail address is: henryemdin05@gmail.com if you may know of somebody. May GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

  38. I agree with most of the comments on here with regards to just sending money, In my experience it never reaches the person it is meant for. If this young lady is in dire need My wife and I would happily sponsor her to enter the UK and live with us. We have already sponsored 1 young lady rescued from a drink and drugs situation at home.She now lives with us happily in the UK. Our only stipulation is that they commit to study and do the best they can. We have plenty Special Education experience. We will cover all the costs… Feel free to contact us at: gods.football@gmail.com

  39. For the doubting Thomas’ on here, if you dont believe the articles listed here, go read this from a reputable Afrikaans newpaper: http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Basta-met-terugslae-se-die-atleet-20130424
    Anything to help.

  41. it is not about not wanting to help but more so the honesty that goes along with it….i have no dought that my fellow South Africans will open their wallets to help…what bothers me though is the emphasis on “white”…why not just a little girl that needs help to support her in her daily life and help foster her talents?….furnish me with all the local details..bank account,bank,branch details,administrator, address of girl and her parents and what school she attends and her school principles details and the club she runs with and i will follow up and make a contribution based on all verified facts…

  42. This is why I don’t give to charity in this country. All funds for charity goes goes to blacks and my money is definitely too white for such nonsense. If i can I would love to help but not by giving money to feed the greedy blacks in this country. But for helping the little white kids who can also not eat at night.I might even be able to sponsor a kid for schooling. But have no time to help a drunkard that knows his surrounding and still drinks out the only money coming in and then make more babies?????

    And by voicing my opinion about this topic does not mean I hate black people. I am a modern White Afrikaans speaking male (The lowest form of South African in terms of political correctness). In this country we have to make peace with the fact that we pay taxes that will never benefit us at all. So looking at this I refuse to drink anything from SAB and do not buy from woolworths. I do not support any racist organization financially and that sentiment is taking flight under young whites. Now imagine our collective worth was put to work instead of wasted out of hatred.
    Apart from this; I work and live with all cultures and my friendship criteria does not involve gender or race censorship.

    Stop making babies in the face of poverty. Instead educate the ones that are there already. That will be your only hope for the future. it will never get better and no one will help you but yourself. Remember the last time white people were destitute in this country was during the great depression. Before that 2 wars that were provoked by the English (Anglo Boere oorloe) and still after that we built this country strong enough to withstand the pillaging over the last 2 decades.

    ps. There is a lot of space for veggies to grow around those shacks/caravans. A couple of chickens around the place for eggs as well. Maak a plan en dink verder as julle lee beersies.

  43. if Irene contact me I will sponsor a good pair of running shoes, I will only do it personally with her.
    my no is 0828250529 and e-mail: 0828250529

  44. with all due respect this sounds like a big ol scam…please supply details of all local people involved,school,physical adress etc…local bank details and name of the holder of such account.also give all the local telephone numbers and names of parents and all other references please

  46. Someone collecting money for someone (very deserving by the way) that they don’t know where she stays – sounds very dodgy to me – people should rather get directly into contact with the young lady herself

  47. If possible, please give us more details on where in South Africa this family lives. I’m from Pretoria South Africa and would like to help!!!

  49. She is beautiful. If she has acting ability as well, she could have a great movie career. My heart goes out to all the white South Africans who have lost jobs due to the current regime favouring colour above qualifications/experience. This is apartheid in a new guise. Private sector, create as many jobs as possible and offer these squatters hope!!
    Triste, Namibia

  50. Try and look into getting Irene into University of Pretoria’s Academy! I think they would be very I interested in having her. My prayers go out to her and her family! Keep running girl!- you have the power to reach the stars!

  55. A really touching story.I would never live with myself if my kids have to experience this. Please post the bank details or a drop of box in designated areas so that some of us can contribute sumthing at least whether it be food, money,clothes etc. is this possible? A suggestion wud be tukkies or tut in pta west.I’m sure the officials wudnt mind.

  56. The FarmitrackerAid.Org NPO has been compiling a new comprehensive map of all the white squatter camps and the charities which administer them because the latest such survey dates from Solidarity trade union’s charity Helping Hand, whose researcher/journalist/photographer De Wet Potgieter and other researchers travelled all over the country to record these sites in 2008. The latest statistics were that 800,000 ‘poor whites’ were identified in more than 460 squatter-sites. This year, with the newly amended ‘Broad-Based-Black-Economic-Empowerment’ laws enacted by the ANC-regime, the vast majority of whites are no longer granted access to the labour market – men, women and even the disabled whites are denied jobs, government-survival-benefits, even food-aid and donations from private charities because the ANC-regime now requires from such NPO to be, in their jargon, 1000% ‘BlackEconomicEmpowerment (BEE)-compliant. In other words, any charity which helps ‘whites’ – which in South Africa usually mean Afrikaners – cannot receive aid from any NGO’s any more because the ANC-regime threatens to cancel their non-profit-registration-rights.
    The Afrikaner camps are different and often difficult to find to outsiders. They and their children are often targetted by black-racist ‘jackrolling’ (rape-and-murder) gangs and also by organised kidnappers. There have been many cases where kidnap-gangs tried to openly grab ‘white’ children from outside their schools: even the poorest white child has a high market value to the (usually Nigerian) slave-trading gangs.
    So the empoverished Afrikaners hide away more, and their camps are not the ‘traditional black squatter cities’ one normally sees in most of Southern Africa. Afrikaners tend to hide away in small groups tucked away in isolated marginal sites, often at mission-stations and other religious properties, in tiny municipal parks, while many thousands of others living in backyard shanties (a prime example is Pretoria North), in tents. overcrowded rental homes and many also live at agricultural smallholdings where little garden-cottages called “Wendy Houses’ have been turned into very inadequate family-homes, oiten in combination with small caravans and tents.
    FarmitrackerAid.org’s mapping project has already identified 210 such sites with pockets of Afrikaner poverty since January 2010. We believe that the number of Afrikaner poor has risen from 800,000 in 2008 to at least 1-million by January 2013 – and rising rapidly. This project is ongoing and we encourage anyone who knows of individual Afrikaners and/or Afrikaner families who are destitute and need help, to post the information on the FarmitrackerAid map, located at : http://farmitrackeraid.org/white-squatter-camps-in-south-africa/ I also most sincerely hope that Pastor Skip Moen of “At God’s Table’ will combine their fund-raising efforts for Irene with the FarmitrackerAid.Org project – which already has a registered NPO inside South Africa and all the bank facilities. I am delighted that an American citizen with Pastor Moen’s stature is drawing attention to the plight of the Afrikaner squatters with such understanding and compassion. There’s a natural mistrust about any new charity in South Africa because due to the huge level of poverty, there also are many charletans and frauds who take advantage of people’s misery by collecting funds for their own families. I personally had such an unpleasant experience just recently when I was asked to support the start-up of a non-profit organisation in The Netherlands and was deeply disappointed. However I want to add that I continue to put my faith in the goodness of mankind. I stand 100 percent behind Pastor Moen’s efforts to help young Irene Van Niekerk ‘s athletic career. From all accounts, he has a good reputation in the USA, and is a widely-travelled individual with great compassion and a deep love for mankind. I hope everyone will give him their fullest support and spread his News! MAPPING PROJECT: http://farmitrackeraid.org/white-squatter-camps-in-south-africa/

  57. I am not rich but also not poor, I am a ordinary man and I have a 8 year old son that GOD has blessed me with. GOD has been great to me, I have enough food and a house and a car and my son is in a very good Afrikaans Christain school. We live in Stilfontein between Klerksdorp and Pothchefstroom. I thank GOD for all my blessings. I am prepared to take a white needy child and raise the child as my own. Every child needs a fair chance in life. May GOD bless you all.

  60. I have been trying, without any success, to contact Luzette, who is apparently in charge of this case… I can help. I am in Pretoria and would like to visit Irene and her parents to offer a solution to her predicament. I urge you to contact me on sunette@sunettebridges.co.za if you are serious about helping this girl.

  62. Fanie Van Heerden shared a link.
    about an hour ago

    Irene A Champion Living In A White Squatter Camp
    whisnews21.com
    For all who are following our work with Irene, the 15 year-old runner who lives in a White squatter camp near Pretoria, South Africa, here’s the news: On my last trip I went to a school regional tr…
    Like · · Share

    Fanie Van Heerden I am a ex South African living in Canada( I was blessed enough to leave South Africa in 1998) My heart bleed for my people and the pain and suffering they have to endure. REMEMBER !! GOD ALMIGHTY might not take a way the suffering but HE will give you the strength to make it through each day.

    I would like more information about this girl and the squatercamp she live in. I will go to our local church council and seek help for her and the rest of the squatters in that camp. I can work with groups in town trough schools whatever it take, just help me get the relevant info.

    In the mean while I will start a prayer chain.

    What is the immediate need?
    How many live in the camp ?
    Who administrate the camp?
    I need contact info and any relevant information

    Please pray with us

    Thank you for you prayers and support

    May the GRACE of God our father, the love of JESUS CHRIST,and THE FELLOWSHIP of the HOLY SPIRIT be with all of us.

    Fanie van Heerden
    fanievanh@gmail.com
    sjmvh@shaw.ca
    a few seconds ago · Like

  63. I simply dont believe it. I looked at the picture of her feet. THEY LOOK TO BE THE FEET OF SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A CHILD. I would like to know more details of this case as we are compiling evidence of the genocide aginst white people in south africa. It does not witness in my spirit this story. sorry.

  66. We (South Africans in Australia) need to know- where can we donate money for this cause? Who will be the administrators? Name of the school this girl goes to. Telephone numbers/e-mail/name of the head master at the school? Will he be able to supply us with the bank details?

  67. It’s a shame about the title of your article (squatter camps are vile, no matter the colour – this is true for ALL South Africans). I have sent you an email……looking forward to hearing from you. Ally.

  68. GO GIRL GO AND SHOW THEM THAT YOU ARE PROUD TO BE GODS CHILD ,,LOVE YOU EVEN I DON`T KNOW YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  70. This is most heartbreaking for me to see a young woman like Itrene having to suffer deprivation like she is forced to do. I am willing to assit her in regulating her life. I would like her to contact me directly 0829617502 Bernard Leigh du Plessis Stilbaai.

  71. Wow, so great to read about this girl who has got nothing, but is still thankfull everyday. We need to be more greatfull to what we have and not to take everything for granted. I salute you Irene and pray for you to be a true champion one day, although you are one in my opinion already. May God bless you and your family.