Nick Norwitz Does It Again, This Time For Charity!

Around this time last year, Nick Norwitz

This year, as the fitness exam approached, Norwitz, 16, decided to use his push-up skills to raise money for charity.

He solicited sponsors in order to raise money for an organization called "Ikamva Labantu."

Supporting children and senior citizens, and crushing another record

Ikamva Labantu is an NGO which supports children and senior citizens in the communities of the townships of South Africa.

On Thursday, February 16th, Norwitz arrived at school at 6:45 a.m. His gym teacher, Mr. Bell, counted as he did 344 push-ups in one straight set, lasting 18 minutes, and raising a total of $1,710 for Ikamva Labantu.

"The cause is dear to Nicholas since his father grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and has worked as a doctor in the townships," says Ann Hess, Nick's mom. "Nicholas himself has had the good fortune to visit the country several times as well as claim dual citizenship in South Africa as well as the USA."

"People need to stand on their own and ... provide for themselves"

Norwitz says he was drawn to Ikamva Labantu because it is geared towards giving people "the tools they need to survive and teaching them how to live on their own in a society that put them down in the past." 

"People need to stand on their own and be able to provide for themselves. Ikamva helps them to do this," Norwitz said.

As for how he manages to do all of those push-ups, Norwitz said there is no one miracle trick. Part of it, he said, is simpley expecting the best from yourself. He said many people set low expectations for themselves. 

"I never would have thought I could do what I can do now"

"A couple of years ago, I never would have thought I could do what I can do now," he said. "But, as I worked out, I gained strength and, with it, more confidence."

Why push-ups? Norwitz acknowledges that some might not see it as a useful talent in and of itself. But, he says, there are health benefits and mastering the perfect push-up routine can lead to increased confidence.

"I've done alot of martial arts, and my favorite instructors have always said ...  you learn karate so you don't have to fight," he said. "You remember how my gym teacher last year said that I achieved what I did because I had a strong mind? Well, I believe ... my personal fitness serves creates a strong body which leads to a confident/strong mind."

To find out more about Ikamva you can visit their web site at  ikamva.org.za/