We are often asked why ‘’The Balloon Foundation’’? Well the name is attested to our journey at The Malaika Kids home.
When we were a group of students bunking class in 2018, we were told about the Malaika Kids Home. We jumped into an Uber and we were on our way to Hillbrow expecting to meet a typical-dorm-style-kids home. However, we were welcomed by a tattered building, with the roof falling to pieces, surrounded by pollution as décor and a pungent smell for the aroma. Words cannot explain the shock that ran through us knowing that almost 100 kids spend their days in a room slightly bigger than a double garage, but as soon as we stepped in the light and warmth of these kids home there was an unimaginable feeling.
The name Malaika kids home truly encapsulates the beauty of these kids spirit. They clung to us to such an extent that you could barely make it through the entrance as they wrapped themselves around our legs and climbed onto our shoulders. It was at that very moment that we realized that yes we are students and funds aren’t always as available as the usual employed individual but we do all come with some skill or some talent to the table, so let’s combine our super powers in an attempt to raise hope for communities in need.
So we put together a fun day , with artsy personality teaching the kids how to paint, the ones who were gifted at baking put together cupcake decorating and the more physically gifted individuals played soccer and games with the kids. In just over a week we were able to cover a team members’ dining room in items for these kids and we were ready to give 100 kids a well deserved day.
Just hours before our event we had a donation of balloons come in as an add on to the day. As soon as we entered the home the kids were most amused by the simple concept of a balloon , and that’s when we realised that the simple concept of a sac of air with its limited resource had the ability to raise hope in 100 kids and from that point onwards we committed to raising hope to this home through using our limited resources but richness in skill and talent.
This is managed by our finance team where we are constantly looking for sponsors to assist with covering the costs of R36000.00 for groceries and roughly R35000.00 for meat which services the most basic of meals for 100 kids daily.
We are also continuously endeavouring to find alternate appropriate accomodation to relocate the Malaika Home to and we will appreciate any insight and assistance you may contribute.
To get in touch further to assist contact:
079 107 2704 / 083 412 1259 / 061 426 3751
At The Balloon Foundation we identify the importance of handing out essential resources for survival however we also understand the importance of sustainability and empowering younger generations to empower themselves through creating a good socio-emotional support structure and fostering the development of their education.
As such as we have the Malaika Mentorship Program which aims to meet up as regularly as possible with the teenagers of this home to provide mentoring programs (often hosted at local restaurants and parks, days out to enhance sports and recreational development) and we hope to introduce a tuition system in the next year to grow their existing skills.
To sign up to be a mentor or tutor or if you can contribute in any way towards the upskill of this initiative kindly contact:
081 371 5171 / 072 668 3859
As a team with a few occupational therapists on board we understand the importance of kids simply being able to be… kids through play. Often in situations of poverty this gets swept aside however we truly do believe that through allowing kids to have opportunities for fun in a way that enables them to develop their childhood milestones. This creates opportunities for stronger well developed future generations hence why we aim to have fun days quarterly whereby we take kids to the zoo, braai days, theatre days, animal parks and many more initiatives because they too deserve something to look forward to!
Should you wish to add your skill and creativity to any of our children based initiatives or have new ideas please contact:
067 826 8108 / 063 202 3459 / 071 292 5034