Article Credits: Story and photography courtesy of Richard Van Zyl – https://planetphotos.co.za
Divorce is hell. No matter which angle one looks at it. One of the most horrific things I have ever had to deal with was my divorce journey. Although in the 1980’s, I did set myself on fire when I was seven years old. But that’s a story for another day.
I left my home with just a few clothes, my camera and a laptop after finding out that I had been replaced by someone else. To be so easily bartered off, in one day, for someone she had met a week previously at a cockroach-infested bar one evening was a very bitter pill to swallow. It was as if my skin had been torn from my body – and every nerve exposed for the world to see. Feelings of utter failure as a husband, father, decent human being were overwhelming. Thankfully, I am rebuilding my life a little every day in every way.
Enough about my story for now, it’s not a pity-party. On my journey of recovery, I have met some of the most amazing people along the way. A group of them are bikers. Yep – a bunch of guys who meet for coffee every Friday morning before work and shoot-the-breeze was such a refreshing change. This motley crew of engineers, travellers, media experts, scientists and other backgrounds – have no clue how much they have helped me on my journey. Within this plethora of motor-heads, one guy I had got to know quite well. A quiet, unassuming man who has shown me his vision which deeply resonated with me. His name is Martin.
Martin has a farm, yet he lives in the city. One morning, we spoke briefly about his farm, when he brought out some pots of natural honey they collect and process. I was surprised to hear that he is running an eco-farm that he plans to run totally off the grid. yet, after much discussion, Martin told me about his greater vision.
He said to me: “Richard, I have an even bigger picture here, you will need to come and see for yourself.”
“Alright, let’s have a look,” I replied.
This past weekend, I hopped in my car and took a short 30-minute drive from Fourways towards Hartbeespoort Dam. When I got to the farm, I took a long drive up the paved driveway surrounded by the most tranquil mountainous scenes. Martin greeted me and showed me around.
“Here is my real vision,” he said as he pointed to a small brick house. “To build a safe place for dads who have lost everything and want to rebuild their lives. A place where their kids can come and visit them for the day too.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because there is no safe place for fathers to go in South Africa. I have been there and, trust me, thousands of other fathers have too,” was his reply.
I was in awe. Martin and his small crew are building a self-funded place where fathers who have lost everything can come and have a safe place to lay their heads. The rooms are basic – a bed, a communal shower, toilet and a fridge. But it is dry, safe and a beautiful place for healing.
“All our buildings are made from recycled materials, and we collect our eggs from our free-range chickens and are building our greenhouses, come let me show you,” he replied.
Martin took me around to show me his olive trees, macadamia trees, pigs, sheep and mountains. Yes, mountains. At the back of the farm, are mountains one can walk up and observe the entire Magalies mountain range from the top.
“We have made a picnic area where dads can bring their kids for the day and take them around the farm in a safe environment,” said Martin.
“So, Martin, what does this cost?” I asked.
“Nothing, just come and work on the farm. Work on a farm is never complete,” replied Martin. “It’s a stepping-stone for dads to get their lives together again, heal and move on to greater things.”
“So, how do you make money to run the farm?” I asked.
“We make our own honey, we sell our eggs, we’re growing olive groves, macadamia trees and we regularly hold markets where we sell our goods.”
I am exceptionally fortunate to have a loving and caring family that I could fall back on in my darkest days. My family gave me a safe place, a foothold from which I could start rebuilding my life. Yet, many great dads don’t have what I do. Martin is trying to create a safe place where dads can come and heal, meet other dads who have lost everything and start rebuilding their lives again from scratch. It’s really good to know people like Martin. He calls it “Our green Brick Road”.
If you want to know more about Martin’s Green Brick Road, click here, or call him on 083 445 0371.
It’s certainly a place where I will take my daughter to spend a day and help out where I can.
