Latest News

From ages two to 82, South Africans of all ages, shapes and sizes took to the water in the Little Optimist Global Challenge. Dams, swimming pools and even fish tanks hosted the tiny boats and their...

Bertie Phillips set out to row in the open ocean from Kommetjie to Bakoven all in the name for raising funds for The Little Optimist Trust and NSRI. On 17 September Bertie completed the row...

Cape Town – For the past two years the by-invitation-only Great Optimist Race has been held in Cape Town, and has involved experienced sailors, celebrities and medical survivors sailing for charity and the work of...

Bertie Philips, proud supporter of The Little Optimist Trust and NSRI, plans to row from Kommetjie to Bakoven via Noordhoek, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Sandy Bay and Llandudno all in the name of charity! The...

Do you have some office furniture you would like to donate?  The Little Optimist is excited to bring OPTIMISM and HOPE to the youngsters in Cape Town! We are partnering with The Excellence Group, our...

As a kid I was shy, lacked self-esteem, was bullied,  and thought I would never amount to much.  I carried this burden and infliction with me well into adulthood, as many kids do. My lack...

On 14 August families living is very isolated rural areas of Elands Bay received much appreciated food parcels and a treat of hot chocolate from Importers Coffee.

On the 12th of August Wielie Walie Kleuter Skool were treated to a host of surprises. The Little Optimist books in Afrikaans Stationary sets – sponsored by Mandela Day doantions Bears Hot Chocolate from Importers...

This woman’s day we are supporting a very courageous YOUNG WOMAN whose perseverance is so inspiring. The Little Optimist has supported Anisha in her quest to walk again, due to her debilitating disease – Systemic Lupus. Now she...

ITALTILE, proud sponsor of The Little Optimist Trust, presently have a number of fantastic promotions storewide. Now is the perfect time to turn your house into a home. Xpression on the Beach is your one...

If you could see their faces …….. #sailingtherapy with #thelittleoptimisttrust is the most unique and beautiful experience to witness. Marginalized kids experiencing the wonders of the world , the wind , nature , adventure and skills development and feelings...

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than by the way it treats its children.” Nelson MandelaIt’s MANDELA DAY on 18 July! Help us treat the children with a little gift in...

Let’s raise R67000 in honour of Mandela Day! Its gonna be Awesome! The Little Optimist has become a large part of our lives and we are super proud to be part of the Team! As...

We LOVE being the CATalyst for doing good! This awesome (slightly angry looking) cat donated by @rogzwhq is on his way north. He has a bunch of toys and books donated by #africanfilmservices and @brinkushner with him for...

How did this happen …..?Who is this guy ……?How can he say that ……?Is this REAL or FAKE …..?You decide ………….Two Oceans Marine ManufacturingUllman Sails South AfricaItaltile 

Such a cool day inspiring, educating and teaching surfing skills to the @9milesproject kids in Elands Bay; with @mattbromleysurf , @jameslowe783 , @nigel_savel and @gregbertish ; with the help of the local coaches Clinton and...

The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has been an enormous blow to our country and the economy, leaving no person untouched. We at the Trust are aware of the enormous strain this has placed on...

This YOUTH DAY… help us feed their minds. Support 2 children for R100.We will be delivering #thelittleoptimistbook and other educational children’s books and workbooks to marginalized kids and communities. PLEASE DONATE HERE and help us positively...

These ladies and this SOUP KITCHEN served hundreds on the west coast each day. We are proud to be supporting them with food and vegetables we deliver each week. Dankie TIAAN en @laastedrif for all...

SCHOOL FEEDING …. #rice #maize #pilchards #lentils #bullybeaf and lots of #vegitables FOR THE CHILDREN at the #elandsbay school feeding program.Thanks #laastedrifboerdery and farmer TIAAN for all the veg, thanks @karacombrinck , Maneer Heyns, Ms Booysen...

FOOD DELIVERY to the soup kitchen in #elandsbay Thanks to #laastedrif farm and farmer TIAAN, to @karacombrinck and to @9milesproject for organizing all the other food supplies. YEEEHA! @twooceansmarine@ullmansailssouthafrica@italtilesa#covid19#coronavirus#covidrelief#soupkitchen#donation#communityrelief#youthdevelopment#thelittleoptimisttrust@sailoptimist@sailoptimist@woeskus_magazine@weslander_koerant@deonbinglive@zigzagsurf@wavescapesa@captainkaisworld@52superseries@superyachtradio

The Little Optimist collaborated with partners in the Netherlands and with Professor Pierre Goussard from Tygerberg Hospital to produce and distribute easy to read and understand Corona Virus Information Sheets. The brochures are available in 8 languages...

Thabane of Imizamo Yethu and Together Today has come to us to ask for help. On the 20 April, we launched our first food parcel project and we received so much support and wonderful sponsorship...

Please click here to be directed to the main newsletter by The Little Optimist Team   Surfers rally to help coastal town residents Surfers and charities have joined forces to ensure that struggling families of a famous...

What is it about these Bertish brothers? They spend half their lives trying to kill themselves and the other half saving the world. Or so it seems to us lesser mortals who do not ride...

You have surfed their waves, visited their town NOW THEY NEED YOUR HELP! 

On Wednesday 11 March, The Little Optimist Trust held a fundraiser for Dustin Heinze, or Dusty as he is fondly known, at Atlantic Boat Club. Dusty works as a skipper of a sport fishing boat...

On the 10th of March 2020 we officially opened The Little Optimist Sailing Academy. Kids from St Joseph’s Children’s Home took part in sailing therapy while sponsors and friends joined us for this momentous occasion....