The Little Optimist Trust

Transforming marginalised youth through Safe Space creation, Sailing Therapy and Optimism.

90% of Children Who Need Mental Health Support, Receive None!

In Cape Town’s marginalised communities, less than 10% of children needing mental health care actually receive it.

This 90% treatment gap is common in under resourced settings worldwide.

South Africa faces very high youth trauma, poverty- linked depression, and school dropout.

Without intervention, children face cycles of poverty and unemployment. The absence of safe spaces and mental health access, traps generations. Optimism is a powerful health tonic — it is absent where it is needed most.

Born from Adversity. Built on Optimism.

After surviving 2 open-heart surgeries and 200 days in hospital, founder Greg Bertish sailed a tiny 8-foot dinghy around the Cape of Good Hope to raise funds to upgrade and renovate children’s hospitals. His story became a movement. In 2016, he published The Little Optimist children’s book. In 2017, he founded the Trust — rooted in one belief: Optimism can change lives!

Today, The Little Optimist Trust is a globally recognised, award-winning organisation operating from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town — and scaling across South Africa.

Growing OPTIMISM and keeping HOPE afloat.

Together with our partners and sponsors, we assist to create, renovate and refurbish under resourced paediatric health care, primary care and education facilities.

Through our Sailing Therapy Academy, Blue Mind programs and Inspiration days, we offer opportunity, inclusion, education, positive mental health intervention and pathways to employment.

Our main beneficiaries are vulnerable children, be they marginalized economically or have compromised health.

Our wins

Established in 2017, a registered NPO, Trust, PBO with section 18a Tax status, and 501(c)(3) fiscal partner tax Status in the USA
Joint winner of the 2019 Dame Charity Award – Amsterdam
2021 Paris Olympics (Impact 2024) Laureate & grant recipient
2024 Incubation Hub Invitee – Laureus Sports for Good Foundation
2025 IOC Advanced Olympism 365 laureate and grant recipient
2026 Laureus Sport for Good Grant winner and laureate

Find out more about the Trust below

Trust Information:

We are a registered TRUST, certified Public Benefit Organization and registered NPO. All donations are eligible for a Section 18a Tax Certificate and The Little Optimist Trust is a B-BBEEE Level 1 Contributor.

All USA donations are eligible for a 501c3 tax exemption through our US Fiscal partner – Chapel & York.

PBO Number: 930060059

NPO Number: 228- 978 NPO

Trust Number: IT002355/2016(C)

Downloads:

Our Programs:

Changing one’s outlook affects your mental health and your ability to tackle life’s challenges. The main aim of our programs is to inspire the children to look past their present circumstances and look to the future with hope and possibility.

Our programs run throughout the year.

PROGRAMS:

Visits to hospitals and health care facilities
Visits to youth centers, schools and after care facilities.
The Little Optimist Sailing Academy
Sailing Therapy and Growth Mindset Programs and workbooks

Our Projects:

We care not only for the mental state of our beneficiaries but also look to their physical needs. Each year, in consultation with our sponsors and key partners, we select institutions and facilities to upgrade.

We have renovated, painted and beautified the following health and education facilities:

2025:
- Astra Special School library upgrade, paint and refit
- Khanyisa ECD, Zithulele, Eastern Cape – bathroom rebuild, roof installation and tiling of classroom
2024:
- Heideveld Youth Centre – paint and new bathroom

2023:
- Heideveld Church – roof repair
- Astra Special School bathrooms Phase 2
2022:
- Durbanville Children’s home – bathrooms
- Astra Special School – bathrooms and dormitory rooms

2021:
- Holy Cross Children’s Home – Therapy House
2020:
- The Youth Centre at Groote Schuur Hospital
2019:
- Umthawelanga Educare Creche, Mfuleni
2018:
- 2018/19: Edendale Hospital
- Maitland Children’s Hospital
2017:
- Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital

Our Sponsors:

Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Social Partners:

It is our privilege to work with dynamic and committed social partners to bring about positive change in the hearts and minds of our kids.

Academy Sponsors:

Little Optimists:

The Little Optimists are a squad of young people who embody the values of The Little Optimist: they are Brave, they have Heart, they never give up! Meet the real life heroes HERE.