Thanda

We are a community-based organisation that provides innovative solutions for sustainable development. We aim to create safer, stronger communities by providing educational and skills-building opportunities to individuals. Our mission is to empower people to create positive change – change in individuals, change in their communities and eventually changes that impact the world.

After two years of on-the-ground research, co-founders Angela Larkan and Tyler Howard established Thanda in rural KwaZulu-Natal in 2008 to provide support for children through after-school programming. The model made use of existing resources within the community – unemployed youth were hired and trained to become After-school Facilitators and empty classrooms at local schools were used to host after-school sessions.

Today, we offer four core programmes:

1) Early Childhood Development;

2) After-school Programming;

3) Organic Farming; and

4) Creative Learning Training.

We are creating jobs in our community by hiring and upskilling people within our community to become Early Childhood, After-school, and Farming Facilitators. As the only non-profit organisation supporting this underserved area, we reach 800 children and youth, as well as 249 farmers daily.

In South Africa, we have been recognized with the following awards for our sustainable initiatives:

2017 Impumelelo Social Innovation Award

2013 Mail & Guardian Investing in Life Award for innovation and potential

2013 Southern African Trust Drivers of Change Award for creating impact