Our Voice, our future, Stories of hope to bring change

Our Voice, Our Future (Powered by Breadline Africa) Season 2 Episode 1: The Inner World of Young Minds in a Noisy World In today’s fast-moving, overstimulated world, childhood is changing. In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, host Kayang Gagiano, Chief Partnerships Officer at The Reach Trust, is joined by Lisa Voortman, Co-Founder of Grow ECD, to explore the emotional lives of young children growing up in increasingly “noisy” environments. From digital overload and social comparison to bullying and emotional safety, this conversation unpacks how modern pressures shape early childhood and what caregivers, educators, and communities can do to create calmer, more nurturing spaces where children can truly thrive. Resources & Further Reading Grow ECD: https://www.growecd.org.za Breadline Africa: https://breadlineafrica.org The Reach Trust: https://www.thereachtrust.org/ Produced by Creafluence Pty Ltd

The season opens with a deeply personal exploration of childhood in the modern age. Today’s children are growing up in environments filled with constant stimulation, digital noise, social comparison, emotional pressure, and rapid change. Beneath the surface, many are quietly asking questions they don’t yet have the language to express: Am I safe? Am I seen? Do I belong? This episode steps into that inner world. We explore how anxiety, overstimulation, exclusion, and bullying shape emotional development, not always through overt harm, but often through silence, disconnection, and unmet needs for belonging. Guest: Kayang Gagiano, Chief Partnerships Officer at The Reach Trust Lia Voortman, Co-Founder and Director of Grow ECD

In this recap episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we reflect on one of the most inspiring conversations of the season, our discussion with ocean adventurer, heart surgery survivor and founder of The Little Optimist Trust, Greg Bertish. Greg’s story reminds us that dreaming is not just about imagining a different future; it is about choosing hope, even in the most difficult moments. After spending nearly 200 days in hospital fighting a life-threatening illness, Greg rebuilt his life through courage, purpose and a deep connection to the ocean. In this episode recap, we revisit the powerful themes from our conversation: resilience in the face of adversity, the healing power of the sea, and how one person’s dream can create real change for thousands of children. We also look back at how Greg turned his experiences into the beloved Little Optimist children’s books and a movement that is bringing sailing therapy, optimism and educational support to under-resourced schools and hospitals across South Africa. At its heart, this episode reminds us that when children are given hope, opportunity and imagination, their futures can change. If you believe in the power of dreaming big and helping the next generation do the same, this recap is one to listen to. Learn more about Greg’s work:
 🌊 www.thelittleoptimist.org Support the work of Breadline Africa:
 📚 www.breadlineafrica.org

In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, we examine the transformative role of literacy in shaping children’s futures. With 82% of South African Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning, the literacy crisis demands urgent attention. We speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a pioneering initiative providing free, curriculum-aligned reading material to young learners, and Dorette Louw from Book Dash, a non-profit dedicated to making high-quality, diverse children’s books accessible to under-resourced communities. Together, these voices highlight why literacy is not only a foundational skill, but a critical driver of equity, opportunity, and imagination.

This episode asked a question no child should ever have to answer: Is it safe to use the toilet at school? In Episode 2 of Our Voice, Our Future, we looked beyond the statistics and into the lived reality of thousands of South African children still forced to use unsafe pit toilets. From the tragic deaths that shocked the nation to the many unreported injuries and fears that shape everyday school life, this conversation exposed a crisis rooted in inequality, neglect, and broken accountability. Together with our guest, we unpacked why the pit toilet crisis has persisted for so long, how unsafe sanitation affects children’s health, education, and dignity, especially for girls, and what real, practical solutions can look like in schools without access to water. Most importantly, this episode reminded us that safe sanitation is not a luxury. It is a basic human right. 🎧 If you missed it, this is the conversation you need to hear.
 📢 If you’ve listened, this is the one to share. Powered by Breadline Africa. #OurVoiceOurFuture #SafeSchools #EndPitToilets #SanitationForAll #EducationMatters #HumanRights

“If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story.” For millions of children across Africa, that beginning is still marked by gaps in nurturing care, gaps that threaten their ability to thrive. The Nurturing Care Framework, a global strategy to ensure every child survives, grows, and reaches their full potential, offers a clear roadmap. Yet despite its promise, many children continue to face systemic barriers that hold them back. In this episode, we speak with Patricia Martin-Wiesner, an expert in policy, organisational development, advocacy, and systems strengthening, with a focus on rights-based governance and human capital development. Join us as we unpack why nurturing care is essential, what’s at stake if we fail to act, and how collective action can create a brighter, more equitable future for Africa’s children.

Our Voice, Our Future is a podcast powered by Breadline Africa that explores the challenges and opportunities shaping children’s lives in South Africa and beyond. From early childhood development to literacy, sanitation, economics, and innovation, each episode amplifies voices from communities, changemakers, and thought leaders who share stories of urgency, resilience, and hope. Season 1 brings six diverse conversations, from the pit toilet crisis to the power of books, from daring to dream to reimagining early learning, showing how local struggles connect to global futures. This retrospective looks back on our journey through Season 1. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, NGO leader, or someone who simply cares about children and equity, this podcast invites you to listen, reflect, and imagine together.

What happens when early childhood development meets entrepreneurial innovation? In this powerful episode, Marli Hoffman joins us to explore how social enterprise models are transforming pre-schools into sustainable, women-led businesses that uplift entire communities. Drawing on her experience as co-owner of Little Ashford Pre-school and as a leader in educational innovation, Marli shares how she introduced tablet-based learning into classrooms, scaled its impact in underserved communities and reimagined what a pre-school can be. Hosted by Kelsley Sharpley from Masicorp, this conversation explores how technology, infrastructure and enterprise can significantly impact outcomes for children, families and educators, particularly in low-income settings. In this episode, Marli Hoffman unpacks: The moment she realised pre-schools could be micro-enterprises Her journey integrating technology into early learning How ECD centres can drive education and economic empowerment Why women’s leadership is key to thriving ECD ecosystems Resources mentioned in this episode: Marli Hoffman’s TEDx Talk – Preschoolers and Technology https://www.amicorpcommunityfoundation.org/ GROW Educare Centres SmartStart SA Masicorp Education Projects Breadline Africa If you believe in building a future where quality early learning is powered by local leadership, share this episode and join the conversation. #OurVoiceOurFuture #MarliHoffman #EarlyLearning #SocialEnterprise #ECD #BreadlineAfrica #Masicorp #PreschoolInnovation

Enterprise
Hosted by: Kelsley Sharpley (Masicorp Education Centre)
Guest: Marli Hoffman (Education Innovator & TEDx Speaker) What if preschools weren’t just places of care, but dynamic micro-enterprises that uplift whole communities? In this episode, we sit down with Marli Hoffman, early learning pioneer and advocate for tech-enabled education, to explore how social enterprise models are shifting the early childhood development (ECD) sector from surviving to thriving. From the digital classrooms of Little Ashford to scalable models like GROW Educare and SmartStart, we dive into how women-led ECD centres are building sustainable, high-quality learning spaces while empowering educators and families. Hosted by Kelsley Sharpley of Masicorp, this conversation bridges community infrastructure, women’s leadership, digital inclusion, and the future of ECD in South Africa. Episode coming soon

What does a national budget have to do with a four-year-old’s chance to thrive? In this compelling episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we explore how decisions made in government, treasury departments, and corporate boardrooms directly shape the lives and futures of South Africa’s youngest citizens. Only 45% of children aged 3–5 are enrolled in early learning programmes. One in four children under five is stunted due to chronic malnutrition. And 81% of Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning in any language. These aren’t just statistics – they’re signs of a system that fails to recognise early childhood development (ECD) as a vital public investment. Too often, children remain invisible in economic models, development strategies, and budget allocations. We’re joined by Kelly Morkel, a social policy expert and advocate for child-focused governance, to examine how ESG frameworks, SDG 4 (Quality Education), and long-term planning can – and must – centre children in public investment. In this episode, we discuss: - Why children are excluded from mainstream economic thinking - The long-term social and economic cost of underfunding ECD - How ESG and SDG 4 can reshape national priorities - What role must government, business and civil society play Be part of the movement to prioritise children in economic recovery and national planning because the cost of the future should never be paid by those with the least power to shape it. #OurVoiceOurFuture #ECDMatters #BudgetForChildren #BreadlineAfrica

What does it truly mean to “dare to dream”? In this inspiring episode of Our voice, our future, we speak with Greg Bertish, heart surgery survivor, adventurer, author of The Little Optimist children’s books and founder of The Little Optimist Trust. Greg’s story is a remarkable journey of resilience, imagination and purpose. From spending nearly 200 days in hospital battling a life-threatening illness, to sailing over 200km in a tiny Optimist dinghy to raise funds and inspire children in need, his life is a testament to the power of hope and determination. We explore how his love for the ocean helped him heal, how his experiences shaped a much-loved children’s book series and how The Little Optimist Trust is bringing optimism, sailing therapy and educational support to under-resourced schools and hospitals across South Africa. If you believe in the power of stories, imagination and possibility, this episode is for you. Find out more about Greg’s work: www.thelittleoptimist.org Support Breadline Africa’s mission: www.breadlineafrica.org

What does it truly mean to “dare to dream”? In this inspiring episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we speak with Greg Bertish – heart surgery survivor, adventurer, author of The Little Optimist children’s books, and founder of The Little Optimist Trust. Full episode live next week

In this episode of Our voice, our future, powered by Breadline Africa, we explore the transformative power of literacy in shaping young lives and communities. With 82% of South African grade four students unable to read for meaning, access to books and literacy programmes is more critical than ever. Join us as we speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a groundbreaking initiative providing free, curriculum-aligned reading material to young learners across South Africa. We also hear from Dorette Louw from Book Dash, a non-profit dedicated to making high-quality, diverse children’s books freely available to under-resourced communities. Every child deserves the right to read, to learn and to dream. Credits: Production: Creafluence Pty Ltd Music: Pixabay_music Images: Canva Reference Articles: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/02/04/south-africa-afe-transforming-the-basic-education-sector-can-drive-inclusive-growth https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/learning-south-africa-evolving-education-landscape https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/02/south-africa-broken-and-unequal-education-perpetuating-poverty-and-inequality/ https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/south-africa-education-leading-trends-changing-learning-landscape https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/371/237029.html https://www.enca.com/analysis/over-80-10-year-old-south-africans-battle-read-study Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR7NW2jBldY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPgjx0TT4Wg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmUdvTQRbvQ

Podcast Description: Our Voice, Our Future – Episode 3: The Power of Literacy** In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, we explore the transformative power of literacy in shaping young lives and communities. With 78% of South African Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning, access to books and literacy programs is more critical than ever. Join us as we speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a groundbreaking initiative providing free, curriculum-aligned reading material to young learners across South Africa. We also hear from Dorette Louw from Book Dash, a non-profit dedicated to making high-quality, diverse children’s books freely available to underprivileged communities. Tune in as we discuss the barriers to literacy, the role of community-driven initiatives, and how innovative publishing models are helping to close the literacy gap. #LiteracyForAll #OurVoiceOurFuture

Thousands of South African schools still rely on unsafe pit toilets, putting children’s lives at risk every day. Despite promises of change, this crisis continues to impact education, health, and dignity. In this episode, our host, Arafat Gatabazi, speaks with Brian Lewis, Director at Envirosan Sanitation Solutions, to explore: * The reality of sanitation in South African schools * The devastating effects of unsafe toilets on children’s safety and education * How organisations like Breadline Africa and WaterAid SA are making a difference * How you can take action to push for change Take Action: 📍 Report unsafe school toilets: Safe Schools App
 📢 Advocate for policy change
 🤝 Support NGOs like Breadline Africa Every child deserves a safe, dignified learning environment. #SafeSchools #EndPitToilets #SanitationForAll #BreadlineAfrica Credits: Production: Creafluence PTY LTD Video: * YouTube Video 1 * YouTube Video 2 Music: Pixabay.com Reference Links: * Breadline Africa – Toilet Crisis * GroundUp’s article * BBC News – South Africa * Amnesty International * UNICEF * UNICEF WASH Programmes * WaterAid South Africa * SA News – Pit Toilets Eradication * Business Live – Sanitation & Education

If the old adage is true, “If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story, " a lot needs to be done to address Africa's nurturing care deficit and ensure that the future of children on the African continent is bright. The Nurturing Care Framework is a global strategy designed to ensure that every child has the chance to survive, grow, and reach their full potential. But despite this clear understanding, millions of children in Africa face significant barriers that prevent them from thriving. To explore this complex issue, we're joined today by Patricia Martin-Wiesner a policy, organisational development, advocacy, and system’s strengthening expert specialising in rights-based governance to build human capital for sustainable development. Discover how we can work together to bridge this critical gap and secure a brighter future for Africa’s children. Credits Produced by Creafluence PTY LTD Video clips: -UNICEF Report | 23% of children in SA live in severe food poverty: Toby Fricker https://youtu.be/Ug2_PGhtcBs?si=AVxnlAjq72ozctCv -COP29 | Children across the globe hit by climate crisis https://youtu.be/AqxK_icf6eo?si=xDdcN2gYUeD23lmd ·-Nurturing Care Program in Siaya - Part One https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EThtiAXnbXU Music: Licensor's Username: https://pixabay.com/users/good_b_music-22836301/ Licensee: u_ru7kovq3qd Audio File Title: Cinematic Chillhop Main Audio File URL https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-chillhop-main-6676/ Pictures: Pictures are licensed by Pixabay Child face africa by Manuela Milani Group Children Boy, education by Ean254 (Ian Ingalula) Black and White Boy by Wendy Corniquet