Pebbles Project's impact film wins international award
We are delighted to announce that Pebbles Project's 20-year impact film, Kindness, has won the prestigious Bicester Collection Award for International Impact at the 2025 Smiley Charity Film Awards in London, in what has been described as their most competitive year to date! The Smiley Charity Film Awards are regarded as the Oscars of charity film awards.
A huge congratulations to Liesl Ahlers, the writer, director, and producer of "Kindness", and her incredible crew for their outstanding work.
Click HERE to read more.
Children receive essential school packs
We are thrilled to announce that 159 Pebbles Project beneficiaries received school packs filled with essential educational resources required for their Grade R school year. These resources are crucial for their education, and for many families, they are a necessity that they simply cannot afford.
A heartfelt thank you to all the generous donors who have signed up for our "Sponsor a School Pack" programme. Your support enabled us to provide these much-needed supplies, ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed in their education.
Your kindness is helping to create a brighter future for these children, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support!

Pebbles Kitchen celebrates 6 years
This year, we are excited to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Pebbles Kitchen, a cornerstone of our mission to provide nutritious meals to those in need.
Since its opening in 2019, the Pebbles Kitchen has been. producing around 2,500 meals daily, with 1,000 of those meals specifically serving our Pebbles beneficiaries. The remaining meals are distributed to other NPOs and early childhood development (ECD) centres, extending the impact of this vital resource even further.
This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of Stichting Garcia Foundation and Goede Mensen. Their commitment has allowed us to continue providing healthy, balanced meals that are essential for the well-being and development of children in the communities we serve.
A big thank you to everyone involved in making the Pebbles Kitchen a success. Here's to many more years of nourishing bodies and uplifting spirits!
Exciting growth at the Pebbles Academy
We are excited to announce the opening of two new classrooms at the Pebbles Academy.
Since our doors opened in July of 2019, the school has experienced tremendous growth, and with this we noticed a growing need to address language barriers, as many of our learners do not speak Afrikaans as their first language.
These classroom will be enjoyed by our foundation phase learners, and will include our very first English (First Language) classroom. These new spaces will help ensure that all our learners can access education a language they understand, removing barriers to their learning and empowering them for future success.
We are incredibly grateful for the Stichting Garcia Foundation's support and look forward to seeing the positive impact these new classrooms will have on our learners' educational journeys.
Inter-Centre Dominoes Tournament
On the 14th of March, 74 learners from various After-School Clubs gathered in Citrusdal for an exciting Inter- Centre Dominoes Tournament. The event was a blend of friendly competition and valuable learning experiences, as students tested their strategies and sharpened their skills.
While the game itself was packed with fun, it also offered numerous developmental benefits. Players enhanced their critical thinking, problem-solving, and concentration as they planned their moves and adapted to the game. Dominoes also provided a great opportunity for teamwork, communication, and emotional regulation as students played in pairs or teams, learning how to handle both wins and losses with patience.
In addition to strengthening their social skills, learners improved their number sense and basic math abilities as they recognised patterns and made quick calculations. The tournament was not only a chance to compete but also to grow both personally and academically. Congratulations to all the participants for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship. We look forward to more events where learning and fun come together!

In the spotlight: Madelein Snyman
This month, we are delighted to shine a spotlight on Madelein Snyman, a cherished member of our fundraising team who has been an integral part of our organisation for an incredible eight years. Madelein's journey with Pebbles began as the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project Manager, where she played a crucial role in shaping and supporting our educational initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Before joining Pebbles, Madelein traveled Africa with an international NPO called Operation Smile, where she first joined as a non-medical volunteer and eventually joined their team as the development coordinator for South Africa.
Madelein enjoys expressing herself creatively, whether through art, music, photography, or other forms of creativity. She finds joy and fulfilment in the process of creation, embracing every opportunity to explore her artistic side.
When she's not working, Madelein enjoys peaceful walks with her pointer, named 'Duke', and enjoys immersing herself in the tranquility of nature.
We are truly grateful for Madelein's continued commitment and the positive energy she brings to Pebbles every day.
Pebbles Ambassadors 2025
We recently hosted the Pebbles Ambassador Commitment Ceremony for 2025, recognising a group of outstanding learners who embody the core values of Pebbles: integrity, compassion, courage, and commitment. These young leaders have demonstrated exceptional qualities and will now serve as role models for their peers.
As Pebbles Ambassadors, they will support fellow learners by promoting respect, kindness, and responsibility, inspiring others to live out these values. Whether through helping classmates, offering a compassionate ear, or showing courage in difficult situations, they will set an example for others to follow.
Their commitment will have a positive influence not only within Pebbles After-School Clubs, but also in their wider communities. We look forward to seeing how these ambassadors continue to lead with integrity, compassion, courage, and commitment throughout the year. Congratulations to our Pebbles Ambassadors for 2025!

Sponsor a child
For just R250 per month, you can help transform the life of a child in rural agricultural communities. Your support provides essential services, including educational resources, health & wellness care, and special needs assistance, to help them thrive and grow.
Stephanie Halford, a long-time sponsor, shares: "It’s been amazing to see how a small amount of support makes such a difference. We’ve watched our sponsored child grow, even helping them through tough times with personal tutoring."
Ready to make an impact? Contact sponsorachild@pebblesproject.co.za for more information and payment options.

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