Our Journey

2007

In 2007, Mandy Pearson had been praying for God to direct her to a community closer to where she lived. As a then mom of 2 young children she was looking to make a meaningful difference with limited time used travelling. Flash floods in the Bhambayi community were brought to her attention along with Lillian Mokoatle, a Bhambayi community leader. A phone call later and a treasured friendship began that would change lives forever, their own included. The community of St. Martin's church came on board in a wonderful way, sponsoring the many orphans and vulnerable children that were identified. A few leaders- young and old- were identified in the Bhambayi community and joined the team. It was decided from the start that relationships would be the focus of everything we do as the Bhambayi Project (now the ReStory Foundation).

2011

In 2011 the community of St. Margaret's joined the project and from there, involvement in the project grew far wider.

2013

Realising the gap in education, Maths Club was started in 2013. From this grew bursary schemes for those identified with academic talent. A number of other initiatives were started such as the dance group.

2017

Our 10 year celebration in 2017 was a marvelous event and the stirring of a greater vision. Youth workers were employed allowing far more intentional on the ground support of our Shining Stars. The Rising Stars and Guardian programmes were also started.

After 10 years of working and learning together, the HELP Giving Model was developed (now renamed as HOPE Building Model), as well as the concept of eye2eye giving. These concepts are impacting many other NGOs, schools and church-based programmes. We hope to extend this influence further into these fields, as well as into the corporate and government sector- encouraging people to apply their head as well as their heart to their giving to ensure it truly is transformational.

2022

By 2022, the daily programmes offered to our Shining Stars (orphans and vulnerable children) included age-specific life skills, gender-specific groups, educational support (in-person and online), as well as dance. Both the children and their guardians now had access to help from a full-time social worker, which included counselling, support groups and workshops addressing key issues faced in the Bhambayi community. School-leavers assistance includes our 4-week Phakama Skills Development course, one-on-one coaching and learnership linkages. In 2022 our influence grew in the area of child rape, with the organisation speaking out prominently in media and impacting individual cases. Our influence in the area of approach to giving also expanding, with our H.O.P.E. Building Workshops and our Stories of Hope evenings. We were delighted to release our first song- ‘Woza, Join us’ by the Bhambayi Project and to perform the dance at the opening match of the Sharks at the rugby stadium.

2023

Our impact outside the community of Bhambayi continued to expand. Dealing with a number of horrendous child rape cases revealed failures of the systems and structures meant to protect children. The organisation developed a holistic strategy for child rape, including response, prevention and ensuring justice- both for individual cases and on a broader scale. Our various campaigns to fight child rape and GBV had a tangible impact. Our work in challenging mindsets on charitable giving grew through workshops, story-telling evenings and initiatives in schools, organisations and businesses.

The new name, the ReStory Foundation, both captures our enlarged vision and better describes our holistic efforts. The Bhambayi hub will continue to be a key focus and provide impetus to our broader work.

BEYOND

The ReStory Foundation will expand its influence with NPOs, organisations and schools, as we look to impact the marginalized beyond Bhambayi. Empowerment through relationships of honour will remain key in all we do. We are thankful to God for His faithful provision - not only materially, but in transforming lives, including our own.