The Fathers Heart Community Development

Padel for a Purpose: A Heartfelt Thank You!

What a wonderful day of padel, connection and community spirit in support of The Father’s Heart Community Development.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Timothy Taylor, Padel Story, all the generous sponsors, players and everyone who supported the Summer Margarita Padel Tournament.

Your generosity and willingness to come together for a good cause mean so much to us. Every contribution helps us continue supporting vulnerable children, young people and families through programmes that nurture potential, strengthen families and create opportunities for brighter futures.

We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this event a success. Thank you

Young Heart, Big Impact: Thank You, Jayden!

A massive thank you to Jayden Bartman, Junior City Council member, who took the initiative to organise and coordinate an entire fundraising event in support of The Father’s Heart Community Development.

Jayden is in Grade 10 and has shown remarkable leadership, initiative and a genuine heart for making a difference. We are incredibly proud of what he has achieved and deeply humbled that he chose to support our mission in such a meaningful way.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to all the entertainers, supporters and everyone who gave their time and talents to make the event possible. Your generosity helps us continue our work with vulnerable children, young people and families.

Jayden, your willingness to step up, bring people together and use your talents to serve others is truly inspiring. Thank you for believing in our mission and being part of the work we do. We wish you every success as you pursue your dreams and future career. May this be just the beginning of a journey filled with purpose, opportunity and many more lives touched along the way!

Thank you for reminding us that you are never too young to make a difference. ❤️

#TheFathersHeart #YouthLeadership #CommunityWithHeart #MakingADifference

Building Futures Together: A Visit to Swiss Re

We had the privilege of taking three of our online school students to visit one of our long-standing partners, Swiss Re.

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the Swiss Re team, share updates on our programmes and discuss our exciting plans for The Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre.

Most importantly, our students had the opportunity to share their own stories and experiences of being part of The Father’s Heart. Hearing directly from the young people at the heart of our work brought a personal perspective to the difference that ongoing support and meaningful partnerships can make.

These moments remind us that behind every programme is a young person with dreams, potential and a future worth investing in.

A heartfelt thank you to Swiss Re for your continued partnership, for believing in our vision and for walking alongside our students as they work towards brighter futures.

Together, we are creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow and realise their potential. ❤️

Celebrating the women in our organisation

Real change happens through the hands and hearts of those who faithfully show up every day.

For Women’s Month, The Father’s Heart Community Development celebrated the incredible women who serve at the heart of our community, recognising their dedication, compassion and commitment to the children and families we support.

Through our Women’s Month Spotlight series, we introduced Juanie a member of our team, and Rhodene, one of our online students.

Their stories offer a glimpse into what inspires them, what motivates them and the personal values that guide their work. They remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness, care and encouragement can make a lasting difference in someone’s life.

At The Father’s Heart, we believe that transforming lives begins with people who are willing to invest their time, talents and hearts in others. We are grateful for Juanie and the dedication she brings to our team and community and excited for Rhodene's future as she matriculates this year.

This Women’s Month, we celebrate their stories, honour their contribution and recognise the women who make a difference every day.

Want to get to know Juanie and Rhodene a little better? Visit our social media stories for some fun questions and personal insights from both women!

Learn more about Juanie

Learn more about Rhodene

The Fisantekraal Child and Youth Development Centre – One Step Closer to Breaking Ground

Exciting progress is being made towards the development of The Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre, as we move closer to turning our vision into reality

Our team together with MWP Architects has finalised the construction and design drawings. A heartfelt thank you to Ruth, our incredible architect, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this vision to life. Her dedication and commitment have been instrumental in getting us to this important milestone.

We also held our first official site meeting with the build team in July, marking another significant step forward in the journey towards construction.

We are so grateful to everyone who is contributing their time, expertise and resources to make this dream a reality. Every meeting, every drawing and every decision brings us closer to creating a permanent home for our programmes and the children, young people and families we serve. We are almost ready to break ground, and we couldn't be more excited!

This centre will be more than just a building. It will be a place where children are nurtured, young people discover their potential, families find support, and hope has room to grow.

Watch this space for more exciting updates as we prepare to begin construction and take another important step towards building a brighter future for the Fisantekraal community!

Be Part of Building a Brighter Future

Help Fund the Build – Make a financial contribution towards construction and development.

Partner with Us – Explore corporate CSI partnerships, sponsorships and business partnerships.

Contribute Your Skills or Resources – Donate building materials, professional services, equipment or other resources needed to bring the centre to life.

Together, we can build a place where potential is nurtured, families are strengthened, and hope takes root.

Contact: partner@thefathersheart.org.za

From Potential to Purpose: The Impact of Youth Development

We kicked off Youth Month by doing a Q&A with our CEO, Michael Carolissen on the importance of youth development. Every young person carries a dream, a purpose, and untapped potential. When we invest in youth development, we equip them with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive and become catalysts for positive change.

Q:Why is Youth Development so important?

A: With limited opportunities available in the country, the greatest impact is felt by the youth. As they strive to complete their studies and step into a career, they find that there is massive unemployment, very few resources to support them, and as a result, their hopes and dreams are shattered before they even get the opportunity to make them a reality. There are many who end up despondent and because of a need for income, they turn to unethical or illegal ways to acquire it. This leads to many losing their life or spending most of it in and out of prison.

Q: You have walked with our youth from the very beginning, what challenges do most of our youth face?

A: Every single individual that I’ve engaged with over the past 7 years struggles with the same issue, Identity. They either have a low self-image that they are trying to hide through aggressive behaviour, or they have been traumatised to the point that they don’t have any self-worth and look for this acknowledgement in all the wrong places. The Identity is key for them to know what they are capable of, who they are as God created them and sees them. There is nothing worse than waking up everyday believing that you offer nothing and the world agrees.

Q: How is The Father’s Heart investing into our youth, to help mitigate these challenges?

A: The Father’s Heart is doing what the name says, we are showing these young people, what the heart of the father is, and what it means for them. We look at the person, the individual needs and talents and unearth that, showing them how and why God created them, restoring their Identity to ensure that each one of them has the resources to go on and achieve what they set their hearts to achieve. We want every single one to know that there are people in this fallen world, that loves them, sees them and cherishes them, so that they never feel alone and forgotten.

Q: What impact have you seen through the programmes?

A: We seen true growth in our children, we have seen the development of their minds, hearts, character, and self-image, they have begun to flourish, to find those talents hidden inside that they can use for a better future. We have many success stories, young kids that joined, went on to complete schooling and tertiary studies and now they find themselves in positions where they can live a fulfilled life. Unfortunately, this is not reality for all, some have fallen away along the journey, they choose to not take the opportunities with both hands, and this we have to accept, because we cannot do this for them, this is not a hand out, they are responsible for how far they want to get in life. Thankfully, the majority want to be successful, they want to break the cycle they find themselves in and they want to know their God given Identity.

Q: What gives you hope for the next generation?

A: We have seen a shift in the hunger of this new generation, they want better and they want more, there is a shift in the poverty mindset that may have affected their parents, and they want to make the most of the resources that we have for them. This group is helping shape how we approach development, they are verbal and open to research and learning. This generation truly understands that if they want it, then they can achieve it. The opportunities are there for them, for tangible life change.

Equipping Our Team with Essential Life Skills

A heartfelt thank you to Dynamikos for providing our entire team with Health and Safety training, and to our facilitator, Latasha, for making the course engaging, informative and enjoyable.

The training equipped our staff with valuable knowledge and practical skills, including First Aid, that extend far beyond the workplace. Knowing how to respond confidently in an emergency can make a life-changing difference, whether at work, at home or in our community.

We are grateful to Dynamikos for investing in our team and helping us strengthen our ability to care for and protect those around us.

Together, we are building a safer, more prepared and caring community.

Long-Term Strategic Partner – Swiss Re visits Fisantekraal

We recently had the privilege of welcoming Swiss Re, one of our valued long-term strategic partners, to Fisantekraal for an on-site visit with The Father’s Heart.

Moments like these are deeply meaningful, as they create space for our partners to connect with the work on the ground—meeting the young people whose lives are being impacted and witnessing firsthand the long-term difference their investment is making in vulnerable communities.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to walk the land where we will soon break ground on the Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre. This milestone represents a significant step forward in expanding access to support, resources, and opportunities for children and families in the area.

Swiss Re’s commitment to advancing access to high quality education and shaping brighter futures is creating meaningful, lasting change. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and your continued investment in the lives of the children we serve.

A Sacred Time of Rest, Reflection, and Realignment for Our Team

The Father’s Heart team stepped away from the pace of daily operations to experience a deeply meaningful time of rest, reflection, and spiritual renewal in the presence of God.

The weekend began on the Friday at the Franschhoek Healing Centre, creating intentional space to reconnect as a team, reflect on the journey so far, and realign our strategy and vision. As we step into our seventh year of operations—and prepare for an exciting new chapter with the development of The Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre—this time of grounding was essential to ensure we remain anchored in God’s purpose and values.

From there, we spent the weekend at In Harmonie NPC, where our team was invited into a deeper encounter with God. It was a time to be still, to listen, and to be fully present—both individually and together. Through powerful worship in the Coram Deo chapel, wisdom-filled sessions and testimonies in Veritas, and a moving creative demonstration by Ohna, the Potter, we were reminded of God’s faithfulness and His ongoing work within each of us.

Surrounded by the beauty of creation and cared for through every thoughtful detail—including nourishing meals and peaceful spaces—we experienced a retreat that was both restorative and transformative.

We return refreshed, renewed, and deeply rested—ready to continue our mission with greater clarity, unity, and faith as we serve vulnerable children and families.

A renewed team, a clear vision, and a steadfast commitment to the journey ahead.

Buy a Brick, Build a Future: Help Shape the Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre

In 2020, The Father’s Heart launched the Buy a Brick, Build a Future campaign to help secure land for the Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre?

Each brick purchased has carried far more than just a name—it represents belief, hope, and a shared commitment to the future of vulnerable children. Every sponsor will have their name written onto a brick, forming part of the very foundation of this life-changing Centre.

Today, that vision is becoming a reality.

As we prepare to break ground, we look forward to personally laying their bricks and standing on the very soil they helped secure and contributing to something that will serve generations to come. If you haven’t yet taken part, there is still time to become part of this lasting legacy.

For individuals and organisations purchasing 100 bricks or more, names will be engraved on a dedicated honour roll, proudly displayed in the future reception area of the Centre.

🧱 Buy a Brick.
🏗 Build a Future.
🌱 Leave a Legacy.

How to get involved:

Purchase your brick online: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/qNFlvOsi
Or via EFT using your name & “LTF” as a reference

Banking Details:
The Fathers Heart Community Development NPC
First National Bank
Account Number: 62832273073
Branch Code: 210835
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ

Together, we are building hope and creating a legacy—one brick at a time.

Author: tfhadmin