What began with one nurse’s dream is now a lifeline for vulnerable children, families and preschools across rural KZN.
In a world that can feel weighed down by hardship, there are people whose quiet determination brings real light. One of them is Sara Brown. A registered nurse by profession and a nurturer at heart, Sara is the founder of Project Hope, a grassroots initiative giving vulnerable children in the Valley of a Thousand Hills the best possible start in life.
What began in 2020 over a simple cup of coffee has grown into a community-powered force for change. Today, Project Hope is transforming childhoods, families and futures in rural KZN.
Sara’s journey started long before Project Hope took shape. After qualifying as a nurse in 2007, she worked across different healthcare settings but always returned to the same focus: the wellbeing of children. She saw that health is not just about physical care but also about love, nutrition, stimulation and safety, especially in the earliest years.
“The first five years aren’t just about ABCs and counting,” Sara explains. “They’re about resilience, curiosity, confidence and hope.”
When a friend offered her a converted shipping container, Sara knew she had found a beginning. That donation became Project Hope’s first safe, nurturing space where children could play, learn and simply be children.
“In South Africa, preschool is not free. While the government offers a child support grant, it barely covers basics, never mind the cost of early education. Most preschools charge around R500 per month, an impossible fee for many families. The result is heartbreaking. Even though 90 percent of brain development happens before the age of five, children in poor communities
often miss out,” says Sara.
In the Valley of a Thousand Hills, more than 75 percent of children under five live in households struggling to make ends meet. “These children start life at a disadvantage, and without early support, those disadvantages only grow.”
Project Hope aims to break that cycle. At first, the organisation worked with unregistered preschools to help them meet government requirements, but the challenges were too big. So Sara and her team shifted focus. Today, the Child Sponsorship Programme connects vulnerable children with donors who help fund their education, nutrition, healthcare and emotional support.
With sponsorships ranging from R350 to R700 a month, people of all means can help. The idea is simple: Every child deserves dignity, opportunity and love.
Sara has since relocated to Cape Town but still steers the organisation’s vision, returning to Durban when needed. Day-to-day leadership is now in the hands of Kirsten McGregor, a businesswoman by day and fierce child advocate by heart. Kirsten met Sara during a donation drive in 2021 and quickly became the heartbeat of Project Hope, visiting preschools, delivering resources and supporting families.
From its base at Hillcrest Methodist Church, Project Hope now supports hundreds of children through partner Early Childhood Development Centres. The team is also investing in infrastructure, including ablution blocks that give children clean, safe and dignified learning spaces.
“We don’t just focus on children, we work with families too, because home is where the support truly takes root.”
Partnership is central to the project. Sara’s long-time collaborator, Nontobeko Gwamanda, brings deep cultural insight and trust. The two first met more than a decade ago while working at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust’s Children’s Programme. Their bond and shared love for children laid the groundwork for Project Hope.
Community partners like Hillcrest Methodist Church and local organisations across the Upper Highway area continue to play a vital role. It is Ubuntu in action – the belief that “I am because we are.”
Sara recalls a moment that still moves her. “A shy little girl walked in for the first time. Within minutes, she was laughing, exploring, connecting. That’s what this is all about – creating spaces where children feel seen, valued and free.”
The vision is bold but grounded in love: To grow Project Hope across the Valley of a Thousand Hills, building a network of centres where every child has access to education, meals, emotional care and the chance to dream.
Future plans include a Sponsor-a-Mom programme to empower mothers’ alongside their children, and a Volunteer Abroad Initiative to bring global supporters into the fold.
For those asking how to help, Sara’s advice is clear. “Start small. Listen. Offer what you can. Even the smallest act of care can ripple into lasting change.”
There are many ways to get involved – sponsor a child, donate supplies, volunteer time or simply spread the word. Supporters can also follow Project Hope on social media or reach out directly.
“Every child deserves to be seen, loved and given the chance to flourish,” Sara says.
At Project Hope, they believe that no effort is too small. Every act of care helps shape a brighter future.
