Maria Gaba

Our Kin. Our inspiration

You don’t truly understand how extraordinary Maria is until you meet her. When she speaks, it feels as though generations are speaking through her -her words land deeply, with strength and truth.

With very few personal possessions, and in a township shaped by poverty, under-education, unemployment, and HIV, Maria created a place of refuge for local children. A place where they could feel safe and loved, receive a nourishing meal, and begin their education.

What began in a single small building with only a handful of children has grown into a thriving and respected oasis in Windmill Park. At its peak, more than 200 children arrive at Maria’s crèche each day. They play, laugh, sing, and dance - forming bonds with their brothers and sisters, building confidence, and finding joy in being children. The crèche also provides parents with the opportunity to go to work, knowing their children are safe. For many of these children, the meal they receive at the crèche is the only food they will eat all day.

Maria’s care extends far beyond the crèche. She has adopted 40 children, ranging in age from six months to 22 years old, raising them as her own. Many of these children were abandoned and had known only abuse, neglect, and hardship before Maria opened her home — and her heart — to them.

“I try to instil in them a sense of caring, sharing, self-worth and belonging,” Maria says. “For many years, I struggled with many mouths to feed. Sometimes I could only feed the children once a day, and often I couldn’t even afford a loaf of bread. I would help at funerals just so I could take leftover scraps home to feed them.”

It was during these early years that Maria met Jen and the Kindling team. Maria’s story — and her unwavering commitment to the children — moved them deeply. Since then, Kindling has worked alongside Maria to support the creation of a safe, loving, and sustainable community for the children and the wider Windmill Park community. Strong bonds have formed through this shared work, and those bonds continue to fuel our commitment.

As a spark becomes a flame, the good continues to grow. Today, Maria is focused on educating more children through scholarships with a local school, creating employment opportunities within Windmill Park, and applying the lessons she has learned to support other communities in need.

“There are so many people who need help, and so much more that must be done,” Maria says. “What the Kindling Community have done for me and the children is unbelievable. You have changed many lives here.”

The Kids

These are the children your donations support. They are our tribe.
When they are hungry, we feel it. When they thrive, so do we.

Many of those who support Kindling have the chance to meet these children on visits to South Africa - an experience unlike any other. Against a backdrop of poverty and hardship, their joy is boundless. Their eyes shine, and their smiles feel like sunshine.

Having met pilots and teachers through our community, many of these children now dream of becoming pilots and teachers themselves. We are committed to helping them become whatever they choose to be.