OCEANS 8 CHARITIES
8 & 16 Mile charities
Duzi-Umngeni Conservation Trust
Our mission is to champion the environmental health of the uMngeni and uMsunduzi Rivers.
We actively engage in river health projects, education and capacity building to bring a positive impact to our catchment.
Our Motto…Healthy River = Healthy People.
Visit: www.duct.org.za
National Sea Rescue Institute
The National Sea Rescue Institute is a volunteer rescue organisation that is on call 24/7.
Our mission is to save lives on South African waters. But we’re more than a rescue service.
We educate communities and strive to innovate and constantly evolve and extend our water-safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility.
For more information and to read about our rescues, please visit us at www.nsri.org.za.
PROJECT RHINO
Project Rhino is an association of like-minded organisations, facilitating rhino conservation interventions aimed at eliminating rhino poaching and securing the white and black rhino populations of KwaZulu-Natal.
The members of Project Rhino recognise that the work in conserving and protecting rhinos from the threat of poaching is symbolic of the broader threat faced by all wildlife and that all wildlife will benefit from actions taken by Project Rhino.
The association is also aware that the poaching of rhino is symptomatic of the overall, bigger environmental crises facing South Africa and its neighbours.
Visit: www.projectrhinokzn.org
SINGAKWENZA
Singakwenza, meaning “We can do it!” is a non-profit organization which focuses on Early Childhood Education. With an emphasis on long-term sustainability, we provide grassroots training for practitioners, parents and caregivers to enable them to provide daily fun, educational activities for their young children.
These activities develop, through play, the foundation skills for learning, supported by educational resources that are handmade solely from recycling.
Once the adults have been trained on how to provide daily stimulation for their young children, they are able to make all their own resources using household packaging that usually ends up in landfill, rivers and the ocean.
Visit: www.singakwenza.co.za
1 mile & 4 mile charities
C.R.O.W. – CENTRE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
Originally founded in 1977, CROW was the first dedicated wildlife rehabilitation centres in South Africa. Following a move to its current home in Yellowwood Park in 1980, the centre’s small but dedicated team was able to expand its operation – helping to rescue, rehabilitate and release between 3000 and 4000 injured, orphaned and displaced wild animals each year.
CROW remains Durban’s only registered and fully permitted (including TOPS and TOPS Marine species) wildlife rehabilitation centre. www.crowkzn.co.za
GAME RANGERS’ ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA
The Game Rangers Association of Africa is dedicated to supporting South Africa’s rangers. They provide crucial networks, representation, and resources, ensuring that rangers are well-equipped, trained, and supported to protect wildlife and natural areas across the continent.
Their work focuses on maintaining the integrity of wilderness, protected, and natural spaces where rangers operate, ensuring these vital areas remain safe and secure. www.gameranger.org
IPSS Search and Rescue
IPSS Search and Rescue strives to serve both their local and international communities during natural disasters and other situations that require the assistance of Search and Rescue teams. This service is offered free to all communities they assist, with the Search and Rescue members all being volunteers who donate their time to give back to their communities.
They work alongside Government agencies, assisting with training, personnel, equipment and other resources, ensuring the best possible outcome in any situation. The Government agencies, although capable, are often under-resourced, especially in the more remote areas, and IPSS teams are often first on scene and have become instrumental in assisting.
This NPO was established to continue to provide these services, expand their reach, and to ensure their volunteers are trained and have the necessary equipment to continue their missions effectively and safely. www.ipss.co.za
Makabongwe Pre-School
Located in the heart of one of Durban’s busiest taxi ranks, Makabongwe Pre-School is an Early Childhood Development Centre dedicated to educating children under 6 who come from the inner city, with their parents/guardians either being street vendors, students, unemployed or being looked after by a Granny or another family member.
Founded in 1995 by a group of women from Manning Road Methodist Church, the school has grown from humble beginnings into a vibrant learning environment.
With classrooms filled with bright artwork and a joyful playground, Makabongwe follows a government-recognized ECD program that prepares children for Grade 1, focusing on literacy, numeracy, communication, and holistic development. www.makabongwe.co.za
Made for More
Made for More is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities. Their vision is to help individuals with disabilities live passionate and purpose-filled lives.
Through sport, Made for More brings hope, builds relationships, and instils values, all while providing athletes the opportunity to advance their sporting careers both provincially and nationally.
Their approach goes beyond physical training, investing in the heart and mind of each athlete to unlock their full potential. www.madeformore.org.za
Nazareth House in Berea
Nazareth House in Berea has a long-standing commitment to serving society’s most vulnerable, including the elderly, orphaned children, and individuals with disabilities. With a legacy that began over 160 years ago in the UK and expanded to Africa in 1882, they continue to honour their mission by offering a range of care options from independent living to frail care.
Their dedicated team fosters a warm and supportive environment, ensuring that those in their care receive the best possible support and companionship. They also operate outreach programs that provide essential services to individuals and families living in poverty.
From food distribution and educational support to healthcare and counselling services, they are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. www.nazarethcare.co.za
Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children
Umduduzi provides paediatric palliative care to children and brings compassion, dignity, relevant care and relief from discomfort and pain to children diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness within KZN.
There is enormous physical, emotional and spiritual toll on children and their families when diagnosed with these illnesses, and palliative care addresses these needs, relieving suffering and improving the quality of life.
Where death is inevitable, Umduduzi ensures that this is dignified and pain free. At present in South Africa, almost all palliative care is provided within the non-profit sector and Umduduzi sees approximately 250 to 300 new children every year. www.umduduzi.co.za
Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home
Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home offers 24/7 care to orphaned and vulnerable children, including those impacted by HIV & AIDS. They provide a safe haven for children aged 4 to 20 (or up to 21 if completing Grade 12).
With a cottage system that creates a family-like environment, they offer residential care, counselling, life skills, education, and recreational activities, ensuring each child receives the support and guidance they need.
Their dedicated team is committed to nurturing the well-being and future of every child in their care. www.pch.org.za
Rise Against Hunger
Rise Against Hunger is dedicated to ending hunger by empowering communities and responding to emergencies worldwide. They focus on areas with high food insecurity, providing volunteer-packaged meals and support, often through school feeding programs.
By partnering with local leaders, they also implement sustainable agriculture and income-generating projects, helping communities achieve long-term food security and self-reliance.
Their mission is to nourish lives and create lasting change, ensuring that every community has the opportunity to thrive. www.rahafrica.org
Sport for Lives
Sport for Lives harnesses the power of sport to bridge social and economic divides, bringing communities together for a greater purpose.
By encouraging individuals and teams to play with a mission, they activate generosity for numerous local non-profit organizations. www.sportforlives.org