Stellenbosch-based organisation Community Keepers (CK) will receive a financial boost after Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, supported by Cotton On Foundation, selected it for its Kindness in Community Fund.
CK partners with schools to provide much-needed psycho-social support for learners. The team works with schools such as Ikhaya Primary and those in neighbouring areas, such as Paarl and Macassar.
“This funding fills a critical gap where we need it most,” said Community Keepers CEO Gerrit Laning. “The concept of kindness is particularly important to us; while there is a need to hold campaigns such as anti-bullying, anti-GBV and anti-substance use, we also see a real need to model positive attributes. Last year we hosted our first Kindness Campaign and our partner school responded and participated with enthusiasm. We look forward to sowing more seeds of kindness.”
The international grant will bolster CK’s effort to help the 12 schools it has partnered with, after the Department of Social Development recently called for applications for three-year grants but later advised the applicants it had budget constraints. This negatively impacted many NPOs receiving departmental funding.
The Born this Way Foundation has invested US$3 million in 65 youth-centred organisations across 10 countries through the Kindness in Community Fund.
Addressing mental health is one of the organisation’s main aims. The foundation invited young people to nominate local organisations making a difference for youth mental health to receive a grant to further their work. Nearly 2 000 nominations were received, Josh Meredith, Born This Way Foundation chief of staff, said.
“I’m also incredibly proud of the fact that young people led each step of the process, so this list of grantees genuinely reflects their needs and priorities,” he added.
“Our mission at the Born This Way Foundation is to listen to young people, work directly with them, and take action based on their guidance, and we’re grateful we could do that with our first global cohort of the Kindness in Community Fund.”
Other South African organisations selected by Born this Way are Khululeka Grief Support, Lefika La Phodiso, Little Lions Child Coaching, the PHOLA NPO and Waves for Change.
