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 home 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 taken into her care 40 children, ranging in age from 2 weeks 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. 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.” Maria
WINDMILL PARK CRECHE
Maria runs a not-for-profit crèche in Windmill Park that has become a vital lifeline for the local community. Every day, she provides children with a safe, nurturing environment where they receive education, care, and unconditional love. For many of the children who attend, the crèche also provides their only meal of the day, making it an essential source of support for families facing hardship.
Beyond childcare, the crèche serves as a trusted place of refuge for the wider community. Parents, caregivers, and neighbours often turn to Maria for guidance and support during difficult times. Local police and social workers also rely on the crèche as a safe space, bringing children there when emergency care is needed.
Through her dedication and compassion, Maria has created more than a childcare centre- she has built a safe haven where children are protected, families are supported, and the community can come together.
