The Fathers Heart Community Development

Brights Hardware: Building a Brighter Future with The Father’s Heart

Our journey with Brights Hardware has been one of vision, commitment, and community transformation. As one of our longest-standing partners, Brights has supported The Father’s Heart from the very beginning—and their impact continues to grow.

Recently, we had the honour of welcoming a few groups of Brights Hardware staff members to our centre in Fisantekraal. This visit was more than just a tour—it was a powerful opportunity for hands-on involvement and connection.

The team joined us in:

Sitting in on a mentorship class with the incredible moms in our program,
Engaging with our online school students,
Assisting one of our Consumer Studies students with a practical component of her curriculum.

Their final stop was a visit to the future site of the Fisantekraal Child & Youth Development Centre, where we shared our bold vision for the next phase of community upliftment. It was a moment of inspiration—showing how long-term partnerships like this one are sowing into the lives of vulnerable children for generations to come.

A Simple Way to Make a Lasting Impact

Brights is making it easy for everyday South Africans to join the mission. Through their R2 for Change Campaign, customers can add just R2 to their total at checkout—a small amount with big potential to transform lives.

To put it into perspective: for the cost of just two grande cappuccinos, you could help change the future of a vulnerable child in our community.

💳 Want to go even further?
Click the link to sign up for a R100 monthly debit order or find your nearest Brights Store to support the campaign in person.

We’re incredibly thankful to Brights Hardware—not just for their financial contributions, but for their willingness to step in, get involved, and walk this journey of transformation with us.

Together, we’re building more than just structures—we’re building futures.

Partnering for Academic Growth: Curro Durbanville High School Joins Hands with The Father’s Heart

We’re excited to share the beginning of a meaningful new partnership with Curro Durbanville High School, which began earlier this year.

This collaboration is already making a tangible difference in the academic journey of the young people in our care. Every second week, Curro learners and teachers volunteer their time to provide tutoring and academic support to our students. Their consistent presence and encouragement have helped our learners:

Overcome key learning challenges,
Gain a stronger understanding of their subjects,
Develop confidence in the classroom,
Build effective study habits that set them up for long-term success.

It’s been inspiring to witness the impact these sessions are having—not just academically, but in boosting self-esteem and unlocking potential.

We are sincerely thankful to the teachers and students of Curro Durbanville who have stepped in with open hearts, offering their time, energy, and expertise. Your commitment to volunteerism and community upliftment is laying a strong foundation for lasting change.

We look forward to continuing this partnership and are excited to see the fruits of your investment in the upcoming term reports!

Renewing Hearts in the Community

Our partnership with ReNew Trust/Protea Valley Church started a few years back, working together in the trenches during the Covid pandemic. We caught up with Francois, our relationship partner to share more about who they are and why they support The Father’s Heart.

Q. Tell us a bit about ReNew Trust/Protea Valley Church & what is important to you as a ministry. What sets you apart?

ReNew Trust is the legal vehicle of Protea Valley Church, and a response to the hope of the Gospel, to see communities transformed and uplifted through the power of the Holy Spirit. We see this transformation through building deep relationships with the communities, bringing hope to those who have lost hope.

Q. What inspired you to support The Fathers Heart?

During COVID ReNew was involved with the provision of food supplies to vulnerable children and adults and met Jill and Michael with The Father's Heart's soup kitchen support at the time. We have sensed a Godly calling for several years to support vulnerable children (especially fostering/ place of safety) and when we realised that The Father's Heart is all about caring for vulnerable children, the partnership was a natural fit.

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 Father's Heart since 2020, with the focus on supporting Lizzy's place of safety, and general financial support towards all the various support activities within Father's Heart.

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

We have had the opportunity to meet Jill and Michael onsite in Fisantekraal and it is always apparent that the children in the classrooms are well cared for, that the facility is always neat and that general operations are done in a structured and professional way.

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

The testimony of Jill and Michael is one of the things that sets them apart, a Godly calling to care for vulnerable children, their obedience to God's calling and how we are all part of God's bigger plan. The Father's Heart is based in Fisantekraal and care for the immediate community's needs. The Father's Heart is also well structured and Jill and Michael are ambitious to scale the support to more children/families in the future.

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

ReNew provides monthly financial support. We have a good relationship with Jill and Michael and welcome The Fathers Heart to contact us if there are opportunities to serve the vulnerable children/families in Fisantekraal.

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

Spend time with The Fathers Heart onsite in Fisantekraal, get involved with one aspect and serve with them a few times, meet some of the children and see the value firsthand. The rest will happen automatically.

We are grateful for partnerships like ReNew Trust/Protea Valley Church that believes in the vision and mission of transforming and restoring orphan and vulnerable children and families. Their support has made a significant and tangible impact in our critical work, through finances, prayers and donations in kind. Thank you.

A Joyful Celebration to End the Year – Our 2024 Christmas Party 🎁

What a day to remember!

Our annual Christmas Party was filled with laughter, love, and lasting memories as families came together to celebrate the end of another incredible year. It was a day where joy overflowed and the spirit of community truly came alive.

A heartfelt thank you to PPS For Professionals for making this celebration possible. Through their generous sponsorship, and the kindness of their incredible staff who fulfilled our children's Christmas wish lists, the day was nothing short of magical.

We’re also so grateful to Ipic Play for once again opening their doors to us. Your team’s hospitality, patience, and commitment to creating a safe and exciting environment ensured that every child had an unforgettable time.

From all of us, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a joyful start to the new year. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

We look forward to doing all of it again at the end of the year.

WATCH THE CHRISTMAS PARTY HIGHLIGHTS HERE

Ackermans Commercial Team Joins Us for a Day of Impact in Fisantekraal

As part of their Mandela Day / CSI Initiative, we recently had the privilege of hosting the Ackermans Commercial team for an inspiring and hands-on Open Day at our centre in Fisantekraal.

The day began with a warm welcome from Michael and Jill, who introduced the team to our work, the programs we run, and—most importantly—the why behind what we do. It was an opportunity to share our vision for transformation in the community and the heart behind every initiative.

The Ackermans staff then split into two groups for a meaningful day of service:

Team One stayed on site to engage with some of our youth, parents, and volunteers—getting a first-hand experience of our Online School and the various programs we facilitate through our Afterschools.
Team Two picked up their paintbrushes to help us complete two stunning murals at the centre, bringing a burst of colour and life to our space.

A huge thank you to the Ackermans team for spending far more than just the symbolic 67 minutes with us, and for your generous donation towards our work. Your willingness to get involved, connect, and contribute has left a lasting mark—both on our walls and in our hearts.

We also want to give a special shout-out to Ilje, our talented artist, who designed and prepared the murals so that the Ackermans team could bring them to life with vibrant colour. ❤️

Click here for highlights

Education that opens doors of opportunity

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

Access to quality education across the life course is a central focus of the Sustainable Development Goals; without quality education and supportive services which ensure there are no impediments to learning, children face considerable barriers to employment & growth. Education is also a human right, one that allows a person to access all other human rights. It is a powerful driver of development, and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability; it gives people the ability to shape a better future for themselves and their societies.

With the Father's Heart launching the first ever online school in Fisantekraal and celebrating 2 years in existence, we asked some of our students to share their experience. The online school was started for the purpose of giving kids in the community who do not have access to education an online option and specifically aimed at those children who had to leave school due to circumstances out of their control, those who were never given the opportunity to start due to limited space or neglect, those who cannot attend mainstream school due to severe bullying or behavioural issues, and also to provide a safe space for teenage moms where they can continue their schooling whilst pregnant. By bridging this gap in education, we ensure they complete their schooling & reach their full potential, instead of dropping out and becoming dependent on government grants, which is often the case.

Janicka – Grade 12

Think Digital Academy is easy to understand. It’s easy to work home when I’m sick. Online school teaches us how to manage time better and we also have a weekly activity report that the parents can see what their children is doing. I prefer Online school because it’ s less pressure from social interactions and your exam timetable is clear and we also get feedback on marked assessments.

Fya – Grade 10

Ek vind dit beter hiedie jaar as die vorige jaar. Ja dis soms moelik, but ek sal liewer my bes probeer as om staat te maak op ander. Wat ek net geleer het is dat jy werk harder and die werk is meer verstaanbaar. Ek vind die online school baie interersant as voorheen cause ek het baie geleer en ook geleer dat jy moet vra vrae

Azur – Grade 10

My experience of the online school was actually good. I don’t have much to say, but learning wise it is excellent. I personally and honestly feel like sometimes I still need like a teacher or someone to give me work in that way as I can get to start working more faster because without that I get easily distracted.

Whasiela – Grade 10

Ek will vandag praat oor hoe ek voel oor die skool. Die Think Digital het my meer ondervinding gegee oor di skool werk. Ek het ook meer ervaring gekry. By ander skole net ek and nie sulker ervaring gerkry. Ek is ssbaie trots op myself want by die online kry ek baie meer punte as wat ek gedink het ek sal kry. My vakke is ook nie a probleem nie. Die online skool is reg vir my. Ek kry al die nogdie hulp wak ek moet kry.

Music that turns trauma into triumph

Music plays a vital role in the development of the children we serve and has been a part of The Fathers Heart programs since inception.

Music is both powerful and therapeutic in helping them to express their emotions, reduce anxiety, help process trauma, and boost concentration and memory, which is important for growing young minds. It also provides a great environment for social interaction and teamwork, a sense of belonging and self-esteem whilst at the same time allowing us to nurture & develop talents in these children that could potentially be used as a means to generate an income and care for themselves & their families later in life.

We kicked off our new Music Program at the beginning of the year where we offer our youth the opportunity to learn more about music theory, how to play instruments, participate in vocal coaching, being part of their own choir or maybe even a band in the future.

This Mandela Day, we invite you to become a#DoDifferent Activist to raise funds for this vital music program. By just completing 3 small tasks, you will raise R1000 for The Fathers Heart. See the infographic below for more information

How to #doDifferent with The Father’s Heart Community Development (1)

On 18 July - Go to https://different.org/, Become a #doDifferent activist for the first time for The Father’s Heart Community Development's project from 18-31 July 2024. Complete the 3 simple “Become an Activist” challenges,

1. Set up your Activist Page

2. Upload your Profile Pic

3. Share your Activist Page to Social Media

and our project receives R1000 to continue making a difference in the lives of orphan & vulnerable families

BONUS: Complete weekly challenges and Diferent.org will allocate more funds to The Father’s Heart Community Development's project.

Join our 100’s Club

Thank you for your commitment of just R100 (or more) via monthly giving to restore hope and transform futures of the most vulnerable of children. You can complete your membership in the following ways below:

Click to download form below, complete, sign and email back to:partner@thefathersheart.org.za

Option 1: Make a donation via Payfast below:

Option 2: Sign up with a Monthly Debit Order

Download Debit Order Form

100% of the recurring gift will go towards the children we serve. Please complete form, sign and email back to partner@thefathersheart.org.za

Option 3: For International Donors

Make a monthly donation via PayPal

Thank you for joining the club and making a difference!

Impact a life this tax season

To make a contribution to The Father's Heart, you can do so via the following ways below:

Make a donation via Payfast below:

Make a donation via PayPal I Make a donation via Snapscan

To make a direct deposit:

Account Holder: The Fathers Heart Community Development NPC
Bank: First National Bank
Account Number: 62832273073
Branch Code: 210835
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: Your Name & Contact Number

Please send your payment confirmation, physical address, contact details and request for your Section 18A certificate to partner@thefathersheart.org.za following your donation.

Thank you for making a difference and changing lives!

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!

Author: tfhadmin