If we each do a little, alot can be done

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Where it all began

Who are We?

The Small Things Foundation is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 297-207) founded in 2022 by Jamie Nye (father, husband, ocean enthusiast & entrepeneur) in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Small Things Foundation was setup to find small solutions to big social problems affecting our community.

In 2023 we identified an urgent need to support & transform an award-winning initiative the Local Surf Lounge Academy which was on the verge of closing down. This project is our current focus until we reach our sustainability goals.

Jamie is working with LSLA founder Shuan Solomans & local social justice advocate Shane Lentoor plus a dedicated team of youth leaders who make our Local Surf Lounge Academy possible.

Scope of Operations

What we Do

The Small Things Foundation is a non-profit social development organisation based in Cape Town with a focus on uplifting at-risk youth.

Our primary focus is Child Safe-guarding & Welfare, operating our walk-in Centre in Muizenberg that is a ‘safe-space’ providing free-of-charge care, nutrition & counselling to abandoned, abused, neglected or homeless children from the surrounding townships. (Vrygrond, Steenberg, Lavender Hill & Muizenberg)

The children of the Cape Flats are experiencing a major crisis of poverty, gangsterism, drug-abuse and violence in their daily lives, and we provide an essential lifeline to get them off the streets and focussed on a healthier lifestyle.

The 5 components of this program are 

  • Counselling (in-house specialists and Social Workers, group and individual)
  • Substance Abuse prevention (drug, alcohol, tobacco-free zone with education)
  • Nutrition (provision of a nutritious daily cooked meal)
  • Hygiene (laundry service, showers, hair & nail cutting)
  • Physical (swimming, surfing, hiking, skateboarding)

Our secondary focus area is Education & Development through our mentorship and skills development programs, to provide our unskilled youth leaders (16-18yrs) with employment opportunities in the community.

We run regular workshops in-house that teach skills that build capacity such as CV-writing, Customer Service, Social Media marketing, Video editing/Content creation, Painting, Carpentry, Fibreglass fabrication, Cooking, Hospitality.

We send our youth on specific training courses to obtain qualifications that enable them to apply for work positions, such as Barista, Waitering, Cooking, Online Marketing, Surf Coaching, Judging, Tour Guiding (Hiking).

We partner with a range of local businesses to create work-shadow opportunities that often lead to permanent placements and employment. The ultimate goal is to help our youth become self-sufficient financially, and realise they have the capacity to achieve alot, no matter what their circumstances are.

Find out more about the STF founder

Born & bred in Cape Town, I was lucky to have the chance of spending 2 years working in Switzerland during the pandemic, and having the opportunity to step outside of ‘the bubble’ of living in South Africa, it became really apparent how bad the gross social & economic divide is between our communities. With a very limited amount of Government support, so many live in poverty, while many others live very comfortably.

As a young person growing up in Cape Town I had assumed this is just how things were, but now I see that it doesnt’ have to be. By activating people, those with more can easily help those with less. I’ve met so many people in my life, and most want to help those less fortunate but generally don’t know how. I see this as my mission, to use my skills and networks to bridge these gaps between conscious hearts and those who need some help.

I come from a family that has always veered towards social justice. My grandfather Rev. Mark Nye was a priest who came to South Africa in the 1950’s to lead a huge mission station serving a large oppressed black community. He was locked up during Apartheid by the Secret Police for his role in defending Nelson Mandela and others during the Rivonia (Treason) Trial. My aunt Rev. Claire Hunter-Nye has led churches in impoverished communities like Bonteheuvel & Makhanda. My parents Dr David & Dr Sandi Nye are both in the medical fields, constantly working to heal and support those less fortunate. The family has a large network of people they support, and have always shown me that there is no greater priviledge than to serve those in need.

Living in the small village of Kommetjie on the southern tip of Cape Town, we have two large poor communities next door ( Masiphumele & Ocean View), both remnants from our troubled past of segregation. And all the social ills that are a consequence of it. This led me on a path of self-education to find out how we got here. I learned Apartheid was just the tip of the iceberg, terrible things going all the way back to European colonialism with so many atrocities that occurred, rippling all the way to the present. Learning about our past, it starts to be clearer why things are like they are today. And with this knowledge its clear why we all need to do more to make a difference.

Want to get involved?

By signing up as a Patron Supporter of Small Things Foundation you have an active role in helping us do the work we do on our various projects. Make a general donation, or pick a specific project.