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We are the Thembalitsha FoundationThembalitsha is the Xhosa word for New Hope and we aim to bring new hope to the desperate and needy people of South Africa, developing them to a point of self-reliance through the provision of healthcare, education and training.We started out in 1997 and now run seven projects in the western cape of South Africa. We believe each one of our projects is truly fantastic in its own right. To find out more about them read (here)
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Feed About us The Story So Far by Frank Christie, Founder and Chairman of Thembalitsha and Pastor at Every Nation Church, Somerset WestI was drafted into the police force under the apartheid government and through this I was first exposed to the plight of the South African people. During this time though, serving God was the last thing on my mind! I was a back-slidden Christian but being exposed to so much poverty definitely made an impact on me. Some time after I remember seeing a film about some of the poor of Mexico who lived on a garbage dump. A group of Christians had started an outreach programme for them had brought about radical change in their lives. God really spoke to me through this. I was so moved and felt God was calling me to do something similar.But it was not until later, when I was back on track with God and attending seminary, that I had my ministry confirmed. I had not told anyone about my increased burden for the poor but an assistant pastor announced that God had revealed to him that someone on staff had been called to minister to the poor and this person had been wrestling with God over this. He went on to say that the Lord said that the person was to come out right there and then and acknowledge it! It was impossible at this stage not to avoid what the Lord was saying. I spent a year in Canada researching social welfare and community development before returning to South Africa in October 1995 to set up the Thembalitsha Foundation in Cape Town with the support of His People Christian Ministries. The following year was spent building relationships among the informal settlements and townships and in 1997, myself and wife Kate pioneered the Thembalitsha Foundation. Thembalitsha was officially founded and registered as a non-profit organization. The foundation was then registered under the Department of Welfare in 1999.From a small office in our living room we have grown to 7 different projects in the Western Cape.Being involved in this ministry is not for the faint-hearted. It is not at all glamorous and requires a great deal of sacrifice. We wouldnt have been able to do this without support from our dedicated staff, our fantastic volunteers, or, of course, God!
Our TeamWe are proud of the people we have involved in the management, governance and running of Thembalitsha and believe that their calibre and level of commitment are a key reason why Thembalitsha is successful. Board MembersFrank Christie – Executive Chairman and FounderExecutive Chairman and Founder of Thembalitsha Foundation, Senior Pastor Every Nation Somerset West, holds a Masters Degree in Business Leadership. Grant Abernathy – Managing DirectorMBA Stellenbosch University and graduate of UCT, Grant played rugby for Western Province and South African Universities in the 1970’s. He has worked in upper management for companies such as Johnson and Johnson and Foschini and was involved in the initial set-up of the company Total Sports. Anthony Geard – Treasurer Studied at the University of Cape Town, completing a B. Bus.Sc. (Honours) degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting. Qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Works for Investec Securities as an investment analyst in Johannesburg, London and Cape Town.
Our Projects
Bosom Buddies Bosom Buddies services two local state hospitals in Somerset West and provides nappy bags to new Moms with clothing, blankets and products for their newborns as well as hygiene products for the mother.
By doing this we ensure that no baby goes home without being adequately clothed, that each mother feels that their community cares and the birth is recognised and celebrated.
Follow Bosom Buddies on their blog here >
Graceland Preschool 
Graceland preschool serves the poorer farming communites on the outskirts of Stellenbosh by providing a preschool to stimulate over 60 children who might otherwise be left at home alone or on the streets.
Follow Graceland on their blog here >
School of Hope 
School of Hope offers hope through education for Youth at Risk (those who have dropped out of or forced out of school due to issues like gangsterism, teenage pregnancy, neglect, homelessness etc.) and Vulnerable Youth (those in danger of dropping out of school due to being orphaned or abused). These young people want to continue their education but need a specialised environment in which to do so.
Follow School of Hope on their blog here >
ThembaCare Athlone ThembaCare Athlone is an 18 bed pediatric palliative care hospice which provides safe care for children suffering from HIV/AIDS or other life threatening diseases.
Follow ThembaCare on their blog here >
ThembaCare Grabouw 
ThembaCare Grabouw provides a 7-bed hospice in-patient facility for adults who are terminally ill and whose lives have been devastated by HIV/AIDS and TB. It is the only overnight medical care in the town. To complement the in-patient facility ThembaCare also has a team of community care workers who visit various discharged patients and other referrals in their homes every morning.
Follow ThembaCare on their blog here >
Themba Training 
Themba Training uses micro business training tools, expert mentoring and start up capital to empower unemployed breadwinners to start micro businesses.
Follow Themba Training on their blog here >
Village of Hope The Village of Hope provides a 9-bed step down unit for children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and TB as well as offering a health and lifeskills-based sports outreach programme in the townships/informal settlements of Grabouw each afternoon.
Follow Village of Hope on their blog here >
- Bosom Buddies
- Graceland Preschool
- School of Hope
- ThembaCare Athlone
- ThembaCare Grabouw
- Themba Training
- Village of Hope
Our Needs ListHere's a list of some things our projects need at the moment:Colouring pencilsPaper shredderNetball bibsBoys football bootsOutdoor play equipmentWaterproof matress covers
Stories of Hope Dawood van der Fort (21) graduated from the School of Hope in 2009: I was doing my Grade 11 year at Bridgetown High School but I did not do any work and the teachers ignored me. I went to school to make money on the playground to support my dagga habit. I was a gang leader. We used to rob people to make money to buy guns and drugs. I used to fight a lot with other gangsters.I was eventually expelled from Bridgetown High, but a teacher referred me to the School of Hope. I stopped meeting with my gang and stayed indoors for a while.At the School of Hope, they know how to work with people like me. They are always encouraging and they dont think negatively about me. The small classes help me to focus more on my schoolwork and the teachers make time for me, to help me.
Support Us Our organisation would not exist without generous people who are willing to give of their time and money. Please consider how you can help us keep doing what we are doingClick on the green tabs on the right for more information
- Donate
- Volunteer
- Corporates
- Fundraise
- Pray
Donate choose your country
UK If you have UK bank account you can make an online donation here
Or if you'd prefer you can organise a direct bank payment
UK Bank Details
Thembalitsha UK
Bank: HSBC
Acc nr: 50072761
Sort Code: 40-08-68
Or download a standing order form here:
Please email us if you have made a donation or set up a regular payment so that we can thank you and keep you informed about what we are doing with your money
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USA You can organise a direct bank payment here
www.thembalitshausa.com
Please email us if you have made a donation or set up a regular payment so that we can thank you and keep you informed about what we are doing with your money
OTHER If you are donating from a country other than SA, the UK or the USA please email us and we will advise you on the best method.
Corporates We would love to partner with your organisation as part of your corporate social initiative. Many of our projects offer the opportunity for your employees to get involved as well, we believe that relationships with corporates should provide benefit to both parties.
Email our fundraiser for more information.
Fundraise We are always on the look out for enthusiastic people to raise funds for us.
In the past people have skydived, shaved their heads and climbed mountains to raise money - and they are the sane ones!
We have plenty of ideas to inspire you and can provide you with the tools to maximise your event.
Email us for more information.
Pray 
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways in which you can support the work we do.
Join us on our quest to defeat poverty. Please pray for the communities that we serve; that they will be transformed. Please pray for the provision of all the resources we need for the work we do. Please pray for protection over all our wonderful staff who work tirelessly in some pretty challenging environments to serve the poorest, sickest and most desperate in our communities.
You might like to sign up to our newsletter to ensure you receive up-to-date news from the projects, that way you can pray into specific situations.
Thank you!
Gifts of Hope
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A gift you know will be appreciated!
