On 11 October 2025, our 9Miles Project family hit the road for one of the most meaningful weekends of the year – CAB Day (Come and Buy ‘without money’) where love, laughter, and community connection filled the small coastal town of Elands Bay.
For many families in this fishing village, basic essentials are hard to come by, and opportunities to choose something for themselves freely and without stigma are rare. That’s where CAB Day steps in. It’s not a charity event; it’s a celebration of dignity, hope, and shared humanity.
“CAB Day is one of the many ways 9Miles Project supports holistic community development,” says founder Nigel Savel. “It’s about restoring dignity, sharing resources, and reminding people that they matter.”
How it all began
Our Cape Town team packed vans to the brim with pre-loved clothing, household items, and essentials donated by our incredible supporters. With hearts full of excitement, they made the journey to Elands Bay ready to join forces with our local operations team to sort, unpack, and set up what would become a weekend to remember.
The Friday before the main event was Kids CAB Day, where more than 100 children gathered to “shop” for toys and games of their own. Watching their eyes light up as they made their picks reminded us exactly why we do what we do – to create moments of joy and belonging that every child deserves.
CAB Day in action
By Saturday morning, the Elands Bay community hall had transformed into a bustling pop-up shop brimming with generosity. Families walked through rows of clothing, books, kitchenware, and home essentials selecting what they needed, without spending a cent.
The day opened with songs, dance, and heartfelt words from our founder reflecting on 9Miles Project’s journey in Elands Bay since 2016. Partners and volunteers worked side by side with community members, laughter echoing through the hall as 77 families and more than 150 residents took part.
We were deeply honoured to have Radisson Red’s Lead MIC, Maureen Fester, join us hands-on in serving the community. Their commitment alongside our partners The Beachhouse Collection, RIA Advisory, Langebaan Guesthouse, and Steel Stuff turned good intentions into real impact.
The day ended with shared meals and an emotional letter handover, as children presented handwritten notes of love and gratitude to their parents, a touching reminder of what togetherness truly means.
The difference we made
This year’s CAB Day wasn’t just about distributing goods – it was about restoring dignity and strengthening community bonds. Families reconnected, children laughed, and volunteers experienced firsthand the power of giving from the heart.
Five of our older programme kids proudly volunteered their time to help sort and set up – a full-circle moment that speaks to what 9Miles Project is all about: raising young leaders who give back to the same community that once supported them.
Every item shared represented more than material support. It carried with it a message: “You are seen. You are valued. You belong.”
We are beyond grateful to every partner, donor, and volunteer who made CAB Day 2025 possible. Your support helped redistribute over 2,000 donated items to households in need and reminded us that community is built not by what we give, but by how we give it.
As Nigel shared, “When people come together like this, we plant seeds of hope that last long after the day ends.”
CAB Day is just one piece of a much bigger picture – one that includes youth mentorship, surf therapy, food security, and education. It’s all part of our mission to build futures of dignity, connection, and opportunity in places like Elands Bay. Contact us to get involved.
