Education South Africa Project #15758

Send 500 Children to School in South Africa

by Starfish Greathearts Foundation

Send 500 Children to School in South Africa

Project Report | Aug 27, 2025
Because of generous supporters, children in South Africa are reaching new heights.

By Marlize Adair | Director of Philanthropy and Communications

Thanks to the generosity of friends around the world, at-risk and orphaned children in South Africa received the care, education, and nourishment they need to grow, thrive, and achieve their dreams.

Here are some impactful moments highlighting how every gift made a difference since the start of 2025:

25 preschools funded: These nurturing hubs offer early childhood development, school readiness, teacher training, and a safe, supportive learning environment for young children.
7,167 healthcare support: Gifts powered mobile wellness wagons and clinics to deliver essential medical care (immunizations, HIV testing, check-ups, and referrals) to children in remote areas.
142,024 meals served: Supporters provided children with nourishing meals that fueled their learning, play, and healthy growth.
694 children in school: Generous gifts provided children the opportunity to go to school, where they learned, socialized, and built a foundation for brighter futures.

To truly understand the profound impact of the generous gifts, read Bontle's story (a video of Bontle is linked below).

Bontle is just six years old. She lives with her grandmother and four siblings in a small home with very limited resources. After losing both parents to AIDS, the children’s lives were turned upside down. Their grandmother, though loving and determined, struggled to provide for them. Many nights, Bontle and her siblings went to bed hungry, uncertain if there would be food the next day.

But thanks to the support of Starfish’s generous community, Bontle and her siblings are no longer facing these challenges alone. They now receive regular meals, keeping them healthy and strong, educational opportunities opening doors for their futures, and the medical and emotional care that every child deserves.

Today, Bontle wakes up excited to put on her school uniform and join her classmates. She and her siblings come to school ready to learn, play, and be children again, living each day with dignity, confidence, and joy.

Thank you to all our generous supporters for making special moments like these possible!

Links:

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Apr 28, 2025
Support Orphaned Children in South Africa

By Bonnee Pecquex | Project Manager

Thanks to the unwavering support and generosity of our donors, we’ve made meaningful progress in our mission to uplift vulnerable and orphaned children across South Africa. Your contributions have brought hope, healing, and tangible change to countless young lives.

What Your Support Has Achieved -

Emotional and Physical Care:
We’ve helped children navigate the pain of losing loved ones, offering them the emotional and psychological support they need to heal and thrive.

Safety and Protection:
By creating secure and nurturing environments, we ensure children grow up surrounded by stability and care.

Meeting Basic Needs:
Children have received warm, nutritious meals, school uniforms, shoes, essential school supplies, and safe transportation—removing barriers to learning and daily life.

Support for Child-Headed Homes:
We provide targeted resources and compassionate care for children who have become caregivers themselves, helping them shoulder responsibilities no child should face alone.

Comprehensive Healthcare Services:
Our health programs include access to life-saving anti-retroviral medication, TB screenings, deworming, growth monitoring, vitamin supplements, and vision and dental care.

Education and Awareness:
We’re actively educating communities about HIV prevention and the realities of gender-based violence—empowering children with knowledge that protects them.

Early Childhood Development:
With 25 fully funded preschools, we’re giving children a safe space to learn, grow, and play—laying the groundwork for a brighter future.

Our Impact in 2024

with your support, we proudly delivered:

248,784 meals to children in need
17,621 healthcare consultations, improving health outcomes across our communities

These efforts have led to better health, consistent school attendance, stronger academic performance, and enhanced overall well-being.

Strengthening Our Reach:

In 2025, we’ve continued to introduce digital tools to improve our impact measurement and program planning. We’ve also expanded our services to two additional schools and launched new nutrition initiatives to address food insecurity.

Looking Ahead:

To sustain and grow our impact, we are pursuing new avenues for support, including:

Launching targeted digital fundraising campaigns
Building corporate partnerships
Hosting fundraising events in more states
Applying for grants to ensure long-term sustainability

Help Us Reach Our $170,000 Goal

Together, we can continue transforming lives. Every donation brings us closer to reaching more children and providing the comprehensive care they deserve.

Join Us.
Be a part of something powerful. Help us build a future where every child feels safe, supported, and seen.

Links:

https://starfish-greathearts.org/?form=FUNBWJYPEDP

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Dec 13, 2024
Update on Our Latest Progress

By Bonnee Pecquex | Project Contributor

Our Mission to Support Vulnerable and Orphaned Children in South Africa

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’ve made significant strides in providing care and support for vulnerable and orphaned children. Here’s how your contributions have transformed lives:

Emotional and Physical Support: Helping children cope with the loss of parents and family members.

Safety and Protection: Ensuring a secure environment for children to grow.

Basic Needs: Providing warm, nutritious meals, school uniforms, shoes, stationery, and safe transport to and from school.

Child-Headed Homes: Offering special care and resources for children taking on the role of caregivers.

Healthcare Services: Access to anti-retroviral medication, TB screening, deworming, growth monitoring, vitamins, vision and dental care, and more.

Education and Awareness: Teaching about HIV prevention and gender-based violence.

Early Childhood Development: Operating 25 preschools to ensure children are safe, well-fed, and receive foundational education.

Campaign Impact:

In the current year (2024) we have funded a total of 25 Preschools and provided the children of Starfish with:

248,784 meals
17,621 Healthcare consultations

These initiatives promote better health, consistent school attendance, improved academic performance, and overall well-being for the children we serve.

In addition, we have implemented new digital technology for better metrics and analysis, along with adopting new programs that help us expand our reach to 2 new schools and provide new nutrition programs.

Looking Ahead

To continue fulfilling our mission and expand our impact, we are exploring additional fundraising avenues, including:

Launching new digital campaigns.
Establishing corporate partnerships.
Hosting fundraising events in more states
Applying for grants to secure sustainable funding.

We are deeply grateful for your support, which enables us to provide life-changing assistance to these children and their families. Together, we can reach our $170,000 goal and continue creating a brighter future.

Join Us

Help us reach our goal! Every contribution brings us closer to expanding our reach and providing the care these children deserve.

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