Mama Dolly, 71, from Masoyi, Mpumalanga, embodies the very essence of hope for children facing adversity in her rural community. For nearly a decade, she has run Phathekani Kahle After Care—a sanctuary where impoverished youngsters find support, education, and a sense of belonging. Today, her tireless work is under threat: the pit latrines (or the old-school “long drop,” as South Africans call them) are unsanitary and risk closure by the health department. As South Africa observes Women’s Month, Mama Dolly shines as a beacon of female leadership and resilience, inspiring women everywhere with her unwavering dedication.
Alexa first connected with Mama Dolly thr
ough her Gogo Theresa Banda—after witnessing the remarkable strides Dolly made with Gogo Theresa’s grandson, Fortune (Alexa contributes towards young Fortune’s school fees). When Mama Dolly reached out for a little extra help to renovate the toilets on the brink of shutdown, Alexa sprang into action, launching a BackaBuddy campaign one month ago to raise R 45 500 for vital upgrades.
A Lifelong Calling to Serve
After spending over 35 years shaping young minds as a primary school teacher, Mama Dolly felt a deep pull to keep serving her community even after retirement. Born into a Tsonga family and raised in Johannesburg, she endured the loss of her mother and sister and weathered unsupportive guardians—but her faith never wavered. In December 2015, she officially registered Phathekani Kahle After Care with the Department of Social Development, transforming a modest room beside the RR358 (Numbi Road) between White River and Hazyview into a safe haven. There, children—many raised by grandparents or living in dire circumstances—gather each day for academic support, a hot meal, and the kind of encouragement only someone with Mama Dolly’s passion can provide.
Her work is driven by the conviction that every child deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of background.
One afternoon, she remembers, a little boy came running, eyes shining, and cried, “Gogo Dolly, I can read and write now!”—a moment she said “healed my soul” and reaffirmed her conviction that education has the power to transform lives.
Building Dignity, One Toilet at a Time
Pit latrines pose serious safety hazards—even Mama Dolly recounts heartbreaking accounts of children slipping into the deep pits. Unsanitary and exposed, these facilities risk injury and infection. Without modern flushing toilets, Phathekani Kahle cannot secure a health certificate, threatening its very existence and leaving 40 vulnerable children without their safe haven.
A Community Rises Together
To date, 31 generous donors have contributed R 29,000 on the BackaBuddy platform as well as R 12,000 in generous offline donations toward the R 45 500 goal. Local businesses have pledged discounted materials, former students volunteer labor, and taxi drivers collect spare change. Teachers at Phathekani Kahle often go months without pay, fueled only by passion and the children’s need. The youngsters themselves buzz with excitement at the thought of clean, dependable facilities and uninterrupted classes.
“For years, we knocked on many doors seeking assistance and faced countless setbacks,” Mama Dolly reflects. “This is the first time we’ve received a donation—and for us, it is an answered prayer.” Her gratitude has rippled through Masoyi: elders share her story at church, and the traditional council has approved building plans, awaiting only final measurements.
Donations will first repair and upgrade the toilets. If the campaign exceeds its target, further funds will install a borehole—a reliable water source that eliminates costly water purchases, ensures year-round flush capability, and grants the school much-needed independence. Additional contributions could also cover ceiling and floor tiling, and secure fencing around the property.
Mama Dolly’s steadfast faith and relentless compassion have made Phathekani Kahle After Care more than a tutoring center—it is a symbol of hope for children written off by circumstance. With renovated toilets, a future borehole, and improved facilities, she can continue breaking educational barriers and restoring confidence. Yet many needs remain: stipends for devoted teachers, textbooks and uniforms for learners, reliable transport from remote homesteads, and essential teaching materials to enrich lessons. As community support grows during this Women’s Month and beyond, so does the promise of a brighter future for every child at Phathekani Kahle.
To keep supporting Mama Dolly’s vital work and brighten futures at Phathekani Kahle After Care, please consider making a recurring donation—every contribution directly empowers students and dedicated teachers, and continually multiplies hope.
Brandon Amronski, 62, is many things: a talented artist and photographer, a self-taught chef, a skilled potter, a gentle musician, a creative spirit, and above all — a loving dad. For the last few years, he’s poured everything he has into one dream: building a home of his own in Kommetjie, Cape Town.
With no contractor and no big budget, Brandon has been building his house — quite literally — with his own two hands. Brick by brick, alongside two faithful workers, he’s created a structure filled with hope, resilience, and heart. The project has taken over five years to materialise, as he first had to battle years of red tape just to gain approval to start construction. One year ago, he finally laid the first brick.
Brandon’s daughter, Luna, now 16, is the heart behind the BackaBuddy campaign trying to help him finish it. “I’m reaching out with a full heart and a shared dream — to help my beloved dad, Brandon, to finally finish the home he’s been building with his own two hands,” she says.
Brandon’s journey hasn’t been easy. At just 19, he fought in the war in Angola — an experience that left deep emotional scars compounded by his work as a press photographer from 1989-1998/9. More recently, he’s battled depression and PTSD while trying to recover from the devastating financial impact of COVID-19, which cost him much of his work and stability. Since then, he hasn’t been able to regain stable employment. The house became his anchor — a personal mission to create something lasting.
“This house means everything to him,” Luna shares. “It represents a place of safety, dignity, and a space where I can visit and sleep over — something we haven’t been able to do in years.”
Brandon currently lives in a small, one-bedroom cottage with no space for guests or family. His older daughter, who now lives in the Netherlands, has helped support him financially, but the budget has run out — and the house remains just shy of completion.
As Brandon’s 62nd birthday approaches on 25 July 2025, Luna hopes to give him the one thing he’s longed for: a finished home.
Instead of traditional birthday presents, Luna has set up a BackaBuddy campaign, inviting friends, family, and strangers alike to contribute toward specific costs still needed to complete the home:
R2,200 – Garage Door
R2,000 – Bathroom Tiling
R2,500 – One Week of Labour Support
R18,000 – Electrical Finishing
R20,000 – Geyser Installation
“Every bit helps,” Luna says. “This is more than a house — it’s a chance for him to feel proud again, to have his space, and maybe even find the motivation to re-enter the world.”
With R10,478 already raised toward their R59,000 goal, the dream is within reach.
To support Brandon’s dream and help him move into his home at last, visit the campaign here:
Carel’s latest challenge wasn’t just about physical fitness — it was about healing and giving thanks for the “second chance” he felt he’d received. In 2024, a devastating firestorm in Jamestown left him with a broken back and pelvis, forcing him to face the terrifying possibility of permanent immobility. For months, he had to learn how to walk again. Even walking 100 meters with crutches felt like a small victory.
During this time, the support from their community carried them through.
Marié recalls, “We were blown away… My children came home every day with a Woolies bag full of food. People took time to come visit, to speak with Carel. It reminded us how important it is not to live in your own bubble,” she said.
But slowly, day by day, strength returned.
“That’s when I realized — I think I’m getting stronger and better now… it felt so good just to be able to move again and have that freedom again,” Carel shared. With his mobility restored, he set his sights on something few have ever completed — the Extreme Triathlon.
Only around 15 people have ever achieved it. It involves three grueling events: running the Comrades Marathon, cycling the 2130km Freedom Challenge, and rowing the 240km Berg River Canoe Marathon — back-to-back. Carel had attempted it before in 2023, but this time was different.
“I realized that I have the ability and the mobility… I’ll be doing it out of gratefulness and just, you know, being in that position where you would be deprived of things — just to realise again how grateful you should be for the blessings you have,” Carel shared.
Carel, running the Comrades Marathon
The Meeting That Changed Everything
While Carel was taking on the Extreme Triathlon, Marié and Carel started thinking about how they could give back, inspired by his renewed ability to move and live fully. It was during the Freedom Challenge — that the Bothas reached out to find someone who needed help. Through a neighbour in Jamestown, they were introduced to Lizzie and her son, Requelmy, an 18-year-old who had been paralyzed since birth and had lived for years without a proper wheelchair.
Carel and family, after completing The Freedom Challenge
Moved by his story, Carel decided to dedicate the remainder of Carel’s epic journey to raising funds for a custom wheelchair for him.
Carel, having recently regained his own mobility, felt an immediate and deep connection to Requelmy’s struggle.
“It brought tears to his eyes… it was so sad for him that an 18-year-old guy is stuck in the situation where he has to wait years for a wheelchair,” Marié said. “He knows how it feels to not be able to move freely the way you want to… it was a perfect match.”
Powered by Gratitude, Fueled by Community
The couple launched a BackaBuddy campaign on 24 June 2025 with the goal of raising R18,000 to buy Requelmy a custom wheelchair. In the weeks that followed, 35 donors — a mix of family, friends, and generous strangers — helped them exceed their goal, raising R22,250.
The journey to that victory was not easy.
“My arms really started paining… I thought, I’m not gonna make it. I won’t be able to use my arms any further… it was a tough, dark time,” Carel remembers from the Berg River Canoe Marathon. “I had a little prayer when things were really hard… and moments after that, it seemed like things just became easier.”
Carel, after finishing the Berg River Canoe Marathon
Paying It Forward
Requelmy’s wheelchair has now been ordered — a life-changing gift, made possible by Carel’s endurance and the generosity of the community. But the Bothas aren’t stopping there. With an extra R3,000 still available, they’ve reopened the campaign to find their next mobility buddy who needs a wheelchair.
“We know it’s not us. We’re overwhelmed with the feedback… it’s just amazing what happened. It’s quite awesome,” Marié said.
They’ve already reconnected with their community to identify their next mobility buddy. Their hope? That this ripple of kindness continues — one wheelchair at a time.
“To everybody that donated — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You enabled this change for the Mobility Buddy. It’s just phenomenal.”
Carel’s story reminds us that even the most difficult moments can be turned into purpose. Through sheer grit, heartfelt gratitude, and the power of community, he turned his own trial into someone else’s triumph — and he’s just getting started.
Please consider sharing this story — because every share, every donation, and every kind word helps move someone closer to freedom, independence, and hope.
Crowdfunding with BackaBuddy empowers you to raise funds for any cause by harnessing the power of community support. Whether it’s medical expenses, memorials, adventures, or more, our platform helps you create impactful campaigns. Donations are purely out of generosity, allowing everyone to be part of the solution and drive positive change.
How It Works
Creating a fundraiser on BackaBuddy is simple and free. Set up your campaign, share it with your network, and start receiving donations. There are no time limits or penalties, and you can continue receiving funds even after reaching your target. We vet every campaign to ensure integrity, and for added security to our donors, funds can be paid directly to vendors. Payouts are processed within 10 business days.
Why BackaBuddy?
BackaBuddy offers a fast, legitimate way to raise funds without upfront fees. It’s an alternative to traditional funding, reaching beyond your immediate network. With no repayment clauses, donations go directly to those in need. Donors love the sense of community and belonging.
Watch the video below for more information:
Contact us if you need further assistance:BackaBuddy
Getting your crowdfunding campaign noticed by the media can boost visibility and bring in more donations. By connecting with various outlets, you can expand your audience and improve your campaign’s chances of success.
Here’s a simple guide to help you effectively share your campaign with the media.
Tips for Sharing Your Campaign with the Media
Tell an Interesting Story: Highlight what makes your campaign unique. Media outlets prefer stories that are impactful and relatable. Keep it brief—no longer than a page.
Create a Press Kit: Include a press release, good-quality photos with captions, and a link to your campaign page to make it easy for journalists.
Choose the Right Media Outlets: Focus on local outlets first—they’re more likely to cover community stories. If your campaign has broader appeal, reach out to national or international media. Tailor your approach to what their audience would be interested in.
Reach Out to Local Media: Once your campaign has 10-20 donations and is gaining momentum, contact local blogs, newspapers, radio, and TV stations. A third-person press release with quotes and visuals works best.
Find Media Contacts: Use resources like The South African Government Media Directory (linked below), check the “Contact Us” section of publications, or reach out to journalists on social media.
Personalize Your Pitch: Customize your email for each media contact, explaining why their audience would be interested in your campaign. Avoid bulk emails.
Use Free Tools: Platforms like MyPR and PressPortal are great for free press release distribution and can help you reach a wider audience.
Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a polite follow-up email. Persistence can make a difference.
Media Contact List
The government has put together a list of key South African media outlets, categorised for your convenience. Use this list to reach out to the right platforms that can help amplify your campaign:
