Latest News

Onwaba’s final checkup

In late 2021 little Onwaba, from Umtata, underwent a dual leg straightening operation. This brave little girl has been recovering well and has visited Cape Town 3 times for checkups since her surgery – in January and July 2022 and...

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OPTIMiS…t Prime

Greg Bertish is a man with a big heart. His story is inspiring and shows that resilience together with a positive mindset and an unfathomable amount of optimism you can achieve anything you put your mind to. He uses his...

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Birthday Splash

We had a Birthday “Splash” this Saturday. Book a birthday party with us for a fun time and assist a charity, all in one go! Bookings at sailing@thelittleoptimist.org.

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Who says you can’t sail in a burka?

It is always fun and games when Zaironesa Karriem and her team from Bonteheuwel come visit with children from their community. There was a feisty wind that ensured speed and excitement in the little optimist boats –our expert instructors Amir,...

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Read aloud day

For World Read Aloud Day, we visited some Foundation Phase classes at Generation Schools Imhoff to read the tale of The Little Optimist. The children were fascinated to learn that this book is based on a true story, that little...

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Heideveld comes sailing

Heideveld Baptist Church Outing – 12 January 2023 We started 2023 with a bang, welcoming the Heideveld Baptist Church Group. Ten brave and feisty little girls learnt about optimism, ocean health and off course how to sail and tie knots....

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Christmas Hospital Visits 2022

This week The Little Optimist Team visited children in hospitals around the western Cape. Our Team delivered LOVE, SMILES, medals, books, and TEDDIES to the kids in Maitland, Red Cross, Tygerberg, and New Somerset children’s hospitals. What a fantastic week!...

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Christmas 2022 – Teddy Bear Drive

1000s of Teddy Bears and plush toys are being collected and donated to the Little Optimist Trust, by our partners and friends around the Western Cape. The Teddies have been pouring in thanks to Darios Café Hout Bay, Kom Surfshop,...

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Bonteheuwel kids visit The Little Optimist

On 10 December kids from Bonteheuwel experienced sailing for the very first time. These kids come from a highly under-resourced area, their home lives can be dangerous with exposure to drug addiction and gang violence. A community member from Bonteheuwel...

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Astra Final update

We are super proud to share the final result of our project at Astra Special School for 2022. 2 bathrooms were completely refurbished with beautiful tiles sponsored by Italtile who also donated generously along with Italtile Foundation. Thank you to...

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The surprising benefits of blue spaces

Ten years after researchers first found that “blue spaces” could be good for us, the concept is proving to be a powerful, practical tool for mental health. Amidst the gentle rock of the sea, the breeze tickling their skin and...

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References

Letter from Reverend about the amazing sailing therapy lessons hosted Read the letter here See the attached references written by the sweet children from Lawhill school. Read the reference letters Hi Cara and Greg, Just wanted to say another huge...

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Ahoy matey – come sail with us!

Published by Tauhira Ajam on October 26, 2022  Numerous studies in recent years have shown sailing to have a profound impact on mental health. According to Dr Wallace Nichols, an award-winning marine biologist, the mere sight and sound of water can promote wellness by...

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The GREAT OPTIMIST RACE 2022

AHOY MATEY, THE GREAT OPTIMIST RACE IS BACK! The Great Optimist Race in conjunction with Boatica is back! Following a two-year break as a result of the global pandemic, the Little Optimist Trust is delighted to announce that the event...

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Astra Update 3

While the boys bathroom gets it finishing touches, the girls bathroom has started taking shape. Beautiful soft grey tiles were chosen for the girls side – Italtile really has amazing taste. Keep watching this space for the final reveal

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ASTRA update!

The boys bathroom has started to transform and it is looking AMAZING. Italtile chose beautiful tiles that brighten up the room gorgeously – we cannot wait for the kids to see it. The boys bathroom should be done by early...

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Canal Clean Up for World Clean Up Day

We partnered with the V & A Aquarium to give some specially chosen children an experience they would not forget! The group arrived and immediately got stuck into an informative and fun classroom experience in the Aquarium.  Once the lesson...

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Soccer Budyz come sailing

“Soccer Budyz is an extramural program that works in partnership with schools in Cape Town. Boys and girls ages 3-10 will have an opportunity to enhance their physical and social skills and abilities through the medium of football. The Soccer...

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Woman’s Day HIIT Drive

HIIT Fitness and its members collected sanitary pads during the month of July for donation to Woman’s Shelter Movement for Woman’s Day 2022. Woman’s Shelter Movement strives to be the united voice on sheltering women and their children affected by...

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St Joseph’s come sailing

A special group of 10 lovely little souls arrived to take on some sailing therapy! We had the best day together. We are lucky to work with such organisations. Once the Sailing Therapy was over, the group headed to the...

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Upgrade and beautification of Astra

Astra Special School – under construction The Little Optimist Trusts BIG project for 2022 is the refurbishment of Astra Special School Dormitories – bedrooms and bathrooms! Italtile and Italtile Foundation have once again been super generous by donating R50 000.00 towards...

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Durbanville Children’s Home progress

Durbanville Children’s Home embarked on the huge task of refurbishing their bathrooms. With a very kind donation of R50 000.00 from Italtile Foundation, they were able to get the process started. Construction is under way and its looking great. We can’t...

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Terrance DID it with Astra

5 wheel chairs and 7 special needs children arrived from Astra to learn all about sailing! BLOWING little minds❤️#astraspecialschool kids got to experience a day of magic and magnificent moments yesterday.❤️These beautiful little beings who have to overcome so much ,...

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HIIT Easter Drive 2022

This year HIIT Fitness had a collection drive for Marsh Memorial Home They collected clothing, toiletries and loads of yummy Easter eggs for the kids. Marsh Memorial officially opened their doors on the 12th of January 1903.  The purpose of...

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Forever Strong Durbell

During the month of February – Forever Strong Durbell wanted to spread the love a little further. The gym collected blankets, clothing and toys for Heaven’s Nest – Temporary Child Care Centre. Heaven’s Nest was established in 2004 and is...

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Sailing Therapy with 9 Miles

On a perfect Saturday morning, 10 excited students arrived from the 9 Miles project! We spent the day together learning how to tie knots, ocean cleanliness and how to protect the ocean, water safety techniques, and most importantly how to...

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The Grand Opening! 23 March 2022

The Little Optimist Sailing Academy @ Battery Park V&A Waterfront.  The celebrities and boating and sailing legends rolled in to celebrate this amazing milestone and the first of its kind in the world.  Massive thanks to Sportncommun and Paris Olympics 2024 for...

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Sailing Therapy with Astra

Astra School is very close to our hearts for many reasons! On 15 March 2022 10 excited learners arrived for their Sailing Therapy and Aquarium experience! The day was filled with excitement, classroom lessons, knots at the side of the...

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Little optimists sail from V&A

The Little Optimist Sailing Academy, a flagship programme of The Little Optimist Trust, will soon be permanently based at the V&A Waterfront’s Battery Park. For the past three years the academy has been providing sailing therapy to disadvantaged children from...

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Sailing Academy Press Release

Just when you thought the V&A Waterfront couldn’t offer up anything more… an exciting new venue is set to open its doors next month at Battery Park. Cape Town’s premium tourist destination and The Little Optimist Trust have teamed up...

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