about us

Education, Empowerment & Support

read more

77%

of double orphans multi-dimensionally poor (0-17 years, urban and rural)  

0.63

GINI co-efficient. South Africa is the most unequal nation in terms of wealth distribution and income

65%

of the youth aged 15 to 24 are unemployed 

About

our cause

Who we are

Raise the Children International (RTC) is a non-profit organization with one simple aim: to radically change the lives of South African orphans through quality education, empowering them to become thriving servant-leaders poised to transform their communities and country.

We want to make sure that every child without parents finds a loving community and receives quality education that leads to employment & in turn, a freedom that will allow them to give back to others in the future.

image
School

the plight of academics

Education is failing
SA's Children

image

18 Year olds

There are approximately 1.1 million 18 year old's in South Africa today

image

Drop out rates

More than 50% of them drop out of high school

image

Graduates

Only one out of three 18 year old's graduate from high school

image

Tertiary

Only 11% of them qualify for a bachelor's degree


Why we do this work

Why we do what we do

According to the Children's Institute of South Africa, 23% of South Africa's children live
without either parent, nearly 4 million children.
Vulnerable children are included in our network because it is easy for adults to
physically, sexually or commercially exploit children who do not have one or both parents
to provide for and protect them.

Staff

the people

Our Team

Our team is made up of savvy entrepreneurs, industry experts and great leaders bringing years of experience to Raise the Children and contributing tirelessly to make our mission a success.

Lesego Holzapfel

Co-founder, Chairperson

Neil Holzapfel

Co-founder, Director

PAUL HORN

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

mmatsie motimele 

Fundraising and Communications  

KEAITUMELA 'SMILEY' GABONEWE

Scholar Program               Manager   

CHRIS PETZY

Non-Executive Director

Bob Lovejoy

Non-Executive Director

Yolanda Miya

Non-Executive Director

Lisa Thompson

Non-Executive Director

PHILIP GIANNECCHINI

Non-Executive Director

Learn

Scholarship Program

Scholarship Program

Since its inception in 2012, RTC has provided bursaries to over 130 orphans &
count students from the University of Pretoria, Wits University, Rhodes University and
University of North West among its graduates.

find out more