The Dreamcatcher Foundation
25 years ago, we were the leaders in South Africa. The first to break the mould: To dare to connect visitors to the land, to the people. Nelson Mandela's people at grass routes. Today Dreamcatcher is still leading: Merging valued partners, volunteers and visitors to pioneer groundbreaking projects and tourist visitor experiences which will change for the good, the destiny of individuals and communities across South Africa. Join us! It's possible. Let us lead the way!
The Dreamcatcher Foundation of South Africa, Registration Number: IT/1675/2003 constitutes an appropriate legal body in the form of a development trust, to facilitate and promote the relevant identified initiatives outlined below and is duly registered with the Department of Justice in the Republic of South Africa in terms of section 6 (1) of the Trust Property Control Act 198 (Act 57 of 1988)
How are we making dreams come true?
The mission of The Dreamcatcher Foundation is to change words into action and literally Walk the Talk to put an end to poverty permanently, for an identified number of individuals in impoverished communities across South Africa. Founded 25 years ago in 1984 from humble beginnings, in a then Apartheid dominated South Africa, by Anthea Rossouw, named Dreamcatcher by the dying patriarch of the community of Stilbaai South Africa, for her roll in the socio-economic transformation of many individuals in his home town. Dreamcatcher's work is to help people to help themselves out of the poverty trap and to bring lasting dignity, knowledge, skills, training and access to medical assistance and help, to women, their families and communities situated across South Africa. Furthermore to build universal peace through mutual respect and understanding between cultures and nations. Dreamcatcher has won numerous awards in recognition of the results achieved, ground breaking new models and initiatives developed, and is a high profile charity working for the wellbeing and advancement of the under-privileged communities in the of South Offering volunteers a chance to learn about a whole new way of life – maybe even implement some of it into their own community or workplace when they get back home. Working, volunteering or a donation to to Dreamcatcher, offers a chance to really make a difference where it counts. Even if just to experience the warmth and positivism, if faced with enormous odds, and beating it by the sheer tenacity of the human spirit, a Dreamcatcher experience, to witness how we are changing lives, is a journey of the mind.
Our aims are to:
- Improve the lives of predominantly South African women and their families by vocational training, teaching of basic business skills and access to medical assistance & knowledge
- Tackle and eradicate poverty and unemployment with lasting results
- Work closely with identified matriarchs, mothers and grand-mothers of children in communities across South Africa, 365 days a year
- Develop and mentor profitable micro-business opportunities and outcome- based projects, owned by the entrepreneurs and to utilize the skills, passion, patronage and knowledge of volunteers and visitors recruited in countries such as The Netherlands, Canada, United States of America and the United Kingdom
- Develop and nurture a network of strategic partners and alliances throughout South Africa and internationally to work in harmony as a committed, caring team to reach the main objective of poverty alleviation
- Spearhead initiatives in the development projects above which will emphasize the need for waste prevention, efficient energy consumption and environmental awareness
- To reach out for assistance and resources globally, but to act locally
Dreamcatcher Nominated by the WTTO as one of the top 3 organisations in the world in the Investment in People Category – March 2005 – Winner of Proudly South African Award (WC) – The founder awarded TIAW World of Difference Award in Canada in 2008 - Inspiring award winning films
