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In April 2016, Greg Bertish sailed an 8-foot Children’s Optimist dinghy around the Cape of Storms. 

His 200-kilometre journey matched the 200 days he had spent in hospital fighting life-threatening heart infections as a result of his Endocarditis diagnosis.

With this life-changing adventure, Greg founded the Little Optimist Trust, and penned a children’s book about a little believer with a HUGE heart, hoping to teach kids that being small, sick, poor or different is OK. And prove that they too can survive and thrive, get better, be better and follow their passions and dreams.

In line with their humble quest, the Little Optimist Trust has partnered with Astra School, in Montana, Cape Town, a school for 300 physically and mentally disabled learners between the age of 5 and 18. 

In urgent need of an upgrade and beautification to the school’s hostel, particularly their bathrooms, which are home to 45 students, the Little Optimist Trust has launched this crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy!

Reaching out for much-needed public support, we hope to raise R65 000 to launch phase 1 of the project that will be used to renovate 2 bathrooms and purchase the building materials needed to make the magic happen.

At the moment the showers are not in working order which makes bathing for children in wheelchairs incredibly difficult. Once the showers have been fixed, the children will have the freedom to shower while seated.

In collaboration with Italtile Ceramics and Italtile Foundation we have thus far raised over R100 000 to start our project, as well as received over tiles, baths and basins to the value of R133 000 from Italtile stores across the country. 

With additional support, we are optimistic that we will get all hands on deck to start our project in October 2022.

We hope that you will join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of these wonderful children, by providing them with the facilities and opportunities that so many of our children take for granted. 

We know that like the Little Optimist, these children will be encouraged to believe in themselves, and find a place in society where they belong.

 “I may be slow and I may be small.

 I do look different, and often I fall.

 But I am special and I have heart.

 My dreams are ALSO big- I just need a start.”

*All donated funds will be paid into The Little Optimist Trust account which will then be paid to contractors for building materials. All donors can receive a section 18 A certificate on request. 

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