Yearly Updates
Each year, our newsletter captures the stories, growth and everyday moments from Maria, the children and the community you support in South Africa.
Below you’ll find highlights from our yearly newsletter.
2025
🌟Expanding Kindling Levardo Pre-School
This year, we were blessed to complete the construction of an additional classroom for Kindling Levardo Pre-School. With 52 children now attending it became clear that more space was urgently needed, not only to support learning, but also to ensure we can separate and care for children who become sick, helping keep the whole school community healthy and safe.
The new classroom has already made a meaningful difference. Teachers have more room to teach, students have space to grow and explore, and the school day runs more smoothly than ever before. This expansion also allows us to provide a calmer, dedicated area when little ones need rest, medical attention, or extra support. Although the classroom is now built we are still actively raising funds to cover the remaining construction costs.
We are deeply grateful for everyone who has supported this project so far.
🌟Update from Maria – How the kids in Africa are doing
Maria has shared a beautiful update on how all the children are progressing, and we wanted to share it with you, Your support continues to open doors for them, and the difference it makes is incredible.
Vandyk Primary School
Bokang, Bonolo, and Naledi are all doing wonderfully and will continue at Vandyk Primary next year.
Windmill Park Primary & Secondary
Junior is completing his final year at Windmill Park Primary and will be moving to Windmill Park Secondary for Grade 8 next year.
Thabang and Sphelele will remain at Windmill Park Primary in 2026 are are doing very well.
Palisa has finished Grade 7 this year and will be starting high school at Windmill Park in January - an exciting new chapter made possible through your generosity.
Sibusiso and Mpapa will enter Grade 11 next year
Michael will be in Grade 10 and is doing very well
December will be repeating Grade 8 next year. He has faced challenges in maths and experienced some disruptions with teachers, as well as a few incomplete projects. We are confident that with additional support and guidance, December will successfully complete Grade 8 next year.
Maria sends a big thank-you for supporting them through these important years.
Belvedere High
Sfiso is doing very well at school, grade 9 next year. Sending him to this high school that supports children with special needs has made a huge difference to his education.
Pule has now also been accepted into Belvedere’s special needs school where he will receive the support he truly deserves.
Maria shared that without attending Vandyk, he might not have had this opportunity as he would have been overlooked.
Elspark
Prince is finishing Grade 12 this year. He has lots of creative ideas of what he wants to do after school, we look forward to seeing what his future looks like.
Maria is especially emotional and grateful for the support you’ve all shown him over the years. Maria knows it wasn’t always easy and she appreciates every bit of effort and love you’ve all poured into helping him finish school.
Further Studies after High School
Vuyelwa who graduated last year is thriving at Hospitality School, studying cooking and hotel work, a big step toward independence and a future career
Precious is completing Level 5 in Early Childhood Development this year and will graduate next June, becoming a preschool teacher. Precious also had a new baby called Tariq, see the adorable photo below.
🌟Celebrating Maria’s love for community
Recently, South Africa hosted the GORHA Awards, an exciting event honouring everyday heroes who make a big difference. One of the highlights was the Best Community Volunteer category, celebrated at a joyful ceremony in Johannesburg.
We’re so thrilled to share that Maria proudly received a beautiful trophy and certificate in recognition of her incredible dedication and heartfelt service to her community. This award is a wonderful reminder of just how special she is!
🌟 Spotlight Story: Palesa’s Journey
In 2010, when baby Palesa was just one week old she was abandoned by her mother and unable to be cared for by her father who struggled with alcoholism she had nowhere to go. That’s when Maria stepped in with no resources of her own, Maria took Palesa into her home and did whatever she could to keep her alive. She didn’t even have money for formula and fed her water from a bottle in those early days. But she gave her something far more powerful: safety, love, and a chance at life.
As the years passed, another challenge emerged. Because Palesa was not born in South Africa and had no birth certificate, she was not allowed to attend school.
Then in 2019, everything changed. Our co-founder, Grant worked tirelessly to find a way to get Palesa and two other children in Maria’s care into school. Using funds generously donated by our community, we hired a lawyer who helped navigate the complex process. And it worked. Palesa started Grade 1 that year, only one year behind. A miracle made possible by Grant determination., Maria’s love and our communities support.
And now…can you believe it? Next year, Palesa starts high school!
A massive milestone we are celebrating with so much pride, joy and gratitude.
💛 A Beautiful Circle of Support
Around the time Maria took in Palesa, Virgin cabin crew began visiting her home, bringing formula, clothing, and money to help Maria care for Palesa and many other kids. Back then we were known as Africa Smiles, and the kindness of JT, Heidi, and the whole Virgin crew helped lay the foundation for what our organisation Kindling is today. Their big hearts changed the trajectory of so many young lives. Thank you!
Big hearts, little musicians!
In September, 67 talented students from St Agnes Primary School took to the Mt Gravatt Markets with instruments in hand and their joyful busking raised an incredible $800 for the Kindling Foundation. Thank you!
2024
💛Kindling community bought Maria a new car
An extraordinary story of kindness and community spirit has resulted in Kindling Foundation buying Maria a brand new car to help her transport her 30 kids to the three schools that our foundation pays for. After we put out a request for donations you responded with stunning generosity and a few thousand dollars was quickly raised. But what happened next was an incredible sequence of events. Like Kindling starting a fire! After months of struggling to find a secondhand car in South Africa that was safe and reliable, a mechanic that we had been using for roadworthy checks heard heard about our cause and put us un touch with a contact named Steven that helps people to buy cars.
Steven, a true angel, contacted us via WhatsApp and orchestrated an extraordinary effort to help Maria and the kids. He reached out to another friend of his who owned a car dealership and secured a brand-new car at cost price. Not stopping there, he then raised thousands of dollars from his own network, and even paid for the car to be delivery to Maria. As if this wasn't miraculous enough, we also received an unexpected and overwhelming donation from Paul, a beautiful soul who joined us on a Kindling trip years ago. Paul decided to sell his house and donated an incredible $15,000 from the sale to our cause!
Then, Paddy, another big-hearted supporter, offered to cover Maria's yearly insurance and security monitor costs.Thanks to the kindness and collective efforts of so many, we didn’t just get Maria a car – she received a brand-new car that is safe, reliable, fuel efficient and will last her and the family for years. Removing a huge source of stress from Maria's life.
Maria and the children now have a safe and reliable means of transportation, a testament to what we can all achieve together.Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this amazing journey and for making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
💛Update From Maria’s Home
SCHOOL
The kids have just completed their exams with flying colours, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. A special congratulations goes to Sifiso, who has successfully graduated from primary school and will be starting secondary school in 2025.
Sifiso's journey is particularly inspiring. Vandyk Primary School, where he attends, has placed him in one of the best schools for slow learners, ensuring he receives the support he needs to excel. Many children at Maria’s, like Sifiso, who are slower learners, often get overlooked in the public school system. We are especially grateful to Sifiso's sponsor, Deb, who has generously funded his attendance at a private school. This support has been crucial in providing Sifiso with the individual attention he needs to thrive academically and assure he receives the best possible education.
More good news is that Benele had an exciting win this month scoring the winning try for his rugby team.
💛HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Thanks to a generous sponsor, Maria’s house is being extended. The new additions include a larger kitchen and a big dining hall. This expansion will provide ample space for the kids to study and allow us to enjoy meals together as a family.
