WHAT WE DO



Global Vision Sailing Trust promotes, encourages and advances the education of young people in the values of honesty, adventure and competition through the medium of sailing.

During 2011/2012 GVST intends to concentrate it’s efforts in Cape Town and Uruguay and at the start and finish of the race. Through a series of sailing events and a programme of “life -skills” coaching, the Trustees, the crews and staff of the Global Ocean Race allied with local organisations will help beneficiaries prepare for the challenges of future life and to break free from the poverty, disadvantage and routine that many have no choice but to endure.

GVST has established a partnership with Izivunguvungu in Cape Town and with the Yacht Club Punta del Este’s Sailing School in Uruguay. Through working with these organisations GVST’s beneficiaries will be identified, selected, coached and entertained through a series of formulated and planned programmes involving life-skills coaching, dinghy sailing and involvement with the crews of the GOR.

A FOCUS ON NEED

Cape Town

In the Houte Bay Township in Cape Town the following statistics make shocking reading: intended population 2,000 – current population 35,000; unemployment currently exceeds 67%, locals speak of young men beating up their grandmothers to buy "tik'' (crystal meth) with the monthly state pension that is the only regular income for the majority of households; bored youths resort too easily to crime; burglary, car hijacking and woundings are common-place; boredom is a major factor especially given the lack of formal educational establishments; a large portion of the population is HIV positive - mostly women and children.

Uruguay

Uruguay, one of the smallest countries in South America, has a population of just over three million. Approximately half of the population lives within the boundaries of the capital city, Montevideo. Montevideo is plagued with increasing poverty and a rising number of street children. Due to extreme poverty, many of the children in Uruguay cannot go to school and instead turn to the streets where they are exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS.

LEGACY and CHANGE

GVST will address the specific problems identified above and through detailed and well-planned activities during the stop-overs of the GOR and by the establishment of GVST Centres for Change in each location, to continue GVST’s work or by adding to existing local organisations, will encourage, motivate and help individual beneficiaries to realise that life is and can be better. The ultimate legacy will be to identify and train individuals who will be leaders for change in their own communities.

It is a “huge ask” and one that can be achieved through life-skills coaching using sailing as a medium. Contrary to popular belief sailing is not an elitist sport, it is a great vehicle for change and one that will help GVST’s staff to promote their coaching and achieve tangible results.

THE FUTURE

It is easy to run before you can walk. The Trustees of GVST understand that to achieve limited, quantifiable and measurable success especially in their first year of activity is a difficult but achievable goal.

Plans for the future include the establishment of GVST “Centres for Change” in all the stop-over ports of future GOR Races as well as other sailing events. However to ensure future success it is necessary to start small, to gain momentum and then to build.