
The Little Optimist Trust, a non-profit organization in Cape Town, has received a €26,000 (R516,087) grant from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the Sustained Insight and Impact Initiative, launched to promote the social impact legacy of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This funding will enable the trust to expand its Sailing Therapy Academy, which uses sailing as a therapeutic tool and promotes inclusivity for children from underprivileged communities. Founder Greg Bertish highlighted that the grant will help keep youth employed and allow them to train volunteers and staff at other organizations. Over the past three years, the academy has positively impacted more than 1,000 young lives, thanks to partnerships with local businesses.
Notable success stories include Amir Yaghya from Grassy Park, who won the SA420 national championship and the Great Optimist Race. The trust is now looking to expand its reach across South Africa, creating more sites and multi-day programs. Bertish has also been recognized internationally, recently hosting workshops at yacht clubs in the U.S.