K i d s Dru g F ree
Africa
This year’s donation was divided three fold. On April 8th 2013, equipment was
donated to Robertson, Western Cape, a town with a huge drug problem. Andrew
Smale, VP for Africa and Mel Cross, WBO Africa Committee member, presented
the donation which was received gleefully by the youngsters and management at the
gym.
Then on May 25th, WBO sponsored a boxing tournament at Eldorado Park, a drug
ravaged community of Johannesburg. A ring was rented for the day, with prizes and
medallions given to the winners. Photos are still pending from the governor of the
tournament, but the event was a big success with the disenfranchised youth of the
area.
The third activity is scheduled for July 27th, also at Eldorado Park. As the previous
activity was so successful, it was decided to sponsor another boxing tournament with
the slogan, “Say NO to drugs, YES to boxing”. Andrew is expecting a larger turn out
than the previous successful event.
Ar g e n t i n a
WBO President Valcarcel arrived in Argentina on May 23rd to hold for the 8th consecutive year the successful WBO Kids
Drug Free Program in this country. This year the donation went to Dr. Ricardo Gutierrez Children’s Hospital in the city
of Buenos Aires. The hospital board gratefully received the cash donation that would alleviate basic needs. A keepsake
photo was taken with President Valcarcel and Latin American VP, Jorge Molina. The activity was followed by a luncheon
and Omar Narvaez’ bout in the evening.
Au s t r a l i a
WBO reached out to Gold Coast Australia youth’s Mercy program
to distribute supplies to the less fortunate and to make them more
aware of saying “no” to drugs. WBO board member, Danny Leigh,
coordinated the event together with promoter Stephen Ng and
trainer, Chris Carden of No Excuses Boxing Gym. The donation
was for the Australia Mercy Immediate Response Unit who find
suitable urgent placement for youth just out of juvenile detention
or that have just been removed from their families. The center
must do this in 12 weeks which is the length of time the youth can
stay at the center. These youth are totally disenfranchised who
live out of their small suitcase with minimal personal belongings
and no place to go. WKDF sponsored bags of basic necessity
supplies, a food guidance book and training equipment for these
Gold Coast Australia children.
WBO 26 Years • 37