MusicWorks Holiday Club

We have had so many positive reports from the 50 kids who were able to participate in the 4-day workshop, facilitated by the wonderful, talented team from MusicWorks. The photos and videos speak for themselves; it is clear to see from the kids faces, beaming with joy and overflowing with excitement as they participated and played to the beat of the drums, while dancing their hearts out, that they had a ton of fun.

A huge thank you to Renew Trust who sponsored our Music Themed Holiday Workshop for our kids and to Raymond and his team, and our team for the outstanding holiday club program. A big thanks also to the Rotaract of Bellville, who visited us and blessed the kids with lunch and treats on Wednesday. We appreciate all the support! See you all in the new term!

 

IMPOWERing communities by making a lasting impact

IMPOWER Solar is one of our long-standing strategic partners. We caught up with the CEO, Jay Naidoo to get to know more about who they are and why they choose to support The Father’s Heart.

 

Q. Tell us a bit about Impower & what drives you and are important to you as a company, and what sets you apart?

 At IMPOWER our core mission is to provide businesses & communities with access to affordable, reliable & clean energy. We do this in a personalized, quick & holistically sustainable manner which leads the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future. What drives us is a deep commitment to making a positive impact on our country and Africa at large while addressing the urgent global challenge of energy scarcity. We are a team of young, energetic energy professionals who want to make a mark on the African continent. We are passionate about stepping in as a respondent to the deep and urgent need for energy solutions because of our country's unprecedented energy crisis.

What drives us as a renewable energy company is the opportunity to be a positive force for change in the world. We're passionate about sustainability, dedicated to innovation, and committed to making a lasting impact on our planet. Our unique approach and diverse solutions make us a leader in the renewable energy sector, and we are excited to continue driving the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.


Q. What inspired you to support The Fathers Heart?

Our overall motivation to support The Fathers Heart stems from a combination of alignment with our company values, belief in their impact, and a desire to give back to the community. IMPOWER has been inspired to support The Father’s Heart for several reasons. We have always believed in giving back to the community and making a positive impact. Supporting this organisation aligns with our company values and provides both our internal and external stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to a cause we are all deeply passionate about.


Q. How long have you been supporting this organisation, and what impact do you hope your support will have on the lives of the children this organisation serves?

We have supported the Fathers Heart since its inception, four years ago - "We are deeply committed to supporting this organization in its mission to improve the lives of the children it serves. The impact we hope to achieve through our support is multifaceted: Improved access to education, Enhanced health and well-being, emotional and social development.” In essence, our organization's support is focused on making a profound and lasting difference in the lives of the children served by this organization. We hope that our collaborative efforts will contribute to building a stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful generation that can, in turn, positively impact their communities and society as a whole.


Q. Have you had the opportunity to visit any of the programs or projects this organisation runs? If so, what was your experience like?

Yes, we have been fortunate to visit several of the charity programs and projects run by The Fathers Heart and our experiences have been truly eye-opening and inspiring. During our visits, our team had the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible impact of the programs on the communities and individuals they serve. We were deeply impressed by the dedication and hard work of the organization's staff and volunteers, who are truly making a difference in the lives of those in need.

One of the most memorable experiences was Mandela Day 2022 where we saw the immediate and transformative effects of the charity's work. The sense of hope, gratitude, and empowerment among the beneficiaries were palpable, and it reinforced our belief in the importance of our ongoing support.

Q. In your opinion, what makes this organisation's approach to supporting orphaned and vulnerable children unique or effective?

What makes The Fathers Heart's approach unique and effective is its commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable approach, a focus on education and empowerment, community engagement, transparency, innovation, and rigorous impact measurement. This combination of factors ensures that they are not just providing immediate relief but are truly changing the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children for the better while ensuring a long-lasting impact on the lives served.


Q. How do you stay engaged with this organisation and its work, and what other ways do you support its mission beyond financial contributions?

I am a strong advocate for The Fathers Heart and its mission. I use my voice and social media platforms to raise awareness about the issues they address and promote their work. By sharing their stories and successes, I hope to inspire others to support the cause. 


I also actively seek opportunities to connect The Fathers Heart with potential partners, donors, and supporters who can help advance their mission. Building relationships and partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations is crucial for expanding the organisation's reach and impact.

 

In summary, my engagement with The Fathers Heart goes beyond financial support, and I am actively involved in various aspects of their work. I believe that my time, skills, network, and advocacy are valuable resources that can make a difference and help influence other leaders to also give back in this way. 


If you would like to know more about IMPOWER, then visit their website https://impower.solar/

Shining the spotlight on a Bright Partnership

The Brights Partnership is one of The Fathers Heart Community Development’s first major supporter who have invested in our vision. We caught up with Nita Louis, founding director of Brights to share more about why she supports The Fathers Heart. 

Q. Tell us a bit about Brights, what is important to you as a company and what sets you apart?

Brights was started in 1971 by my husband and I, just over 53 years in establishment. With it being quite a long time ago we did things a lot differently to what we do now. Having started the business in the middle of a depression, it was more a case of survival and making a living than sustainability. Through the years as our business progressed and things changed, I was drawn more and more closer to what it was God wanted for me, and in 2000 I gave my heart to Jesus and everything changed. For the first time I realised that there is so much more to life and God’s purposes and plans became even clearer for me about Brights needing to be a model in the marketplace. It’s been a process, being positively influenced by various ministries and what it means to be an ambassador and model, and in which ways we can make a difference for the Kingdom as we continue on this journey. 

Q. What inspired you to support The Fathers Heart?

When I looked at the organisation’s vision - it was something I always felt that I could connect with and see value in. I didn’t know much about Fisantekraal until I got to know The Fathers Heart. For me, it was just another informal settlement I knew about, but as I learned more about this impoverished community, I made it part of my responsibility to help make a difference in the lives of people that have been pushed aside. As Christians we have an obligation and mandate to help to alleviate and help to transform our society. And with Fisantekraal being right on my doorstep, I felt that this was the mission field that I wanted and needed to take part in. We don’t need to look far; we have opportunities right where God has planted us. 

Q. In your opinion, what makes this organisation's approach to supporting orphaned and vulnerable children unique or effective?

With the organisation being called to start something in Fisantekraal, it inspired and moved us. By assisting in long term interventions in developing the community and looking after the orphan and vulnerable, in a way that brings dignity and transformation is unique. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to be involved in a community where there is such a great need. I sometimes wonder where do we start, as the need is so big, coupled with the high unemployment rate, and the community living in poverty, there is much work to be done.

 

Q. What impact do you hope your support will have on the lives of the children this organisation serves?

I believe the heart of The Fathers Heart is to equip people to transform the lives of the community. We know that the work is a long-term process, but I believe God will continue to work in the hearts of the people and in a few years’ time, we will witness the snowball effect of the good work that has been done in this community.

  

Q. How do you stay engaged with this organisation and its work, and what other ways do you support their mission beyond financial contributions?

Our engagement is more than transactional, but I have built up a relationship with The Fathers Heart, and we are available for whenever they need us. Even though we are not working on the ground, we are there to support them, financially or spiritually in prayer

 

Q. Finally, what would you say to someone who is considering supporting this organisation, but is not yet convinced of their impact or effectiveness?

It’s important for us to have opportunities for people to see what is happening in Fisantekraal and I think once that that person gets to see the impact, we can trust that God would touch their hearts to move as well and make it part of their mission.

 

We are grateful for corporates like Brights who are not only passionate about investing into their staff and clients, but into the lives of those less fortunate. They have made a tangible impact in our critical work, having journeyed with us from the very beginning through finances, prayers, donations in kind. Please support this wonderful company; by supporting them, you are supporting the vulnerable families in Fisantekraal.