Wolmer non-profit feeds hope to hundreds daily
For nearly 30 years, Tshwane North Outreach in Wolmer has been quietly transforming lives.
Tucked away on Bakenkloof Street in Wolmer in the north of Pretoria, is a beacon of hope known as Tshwane North Outreach (TNO), a non-profit that transforms lives.
The NPO has been operating for about three decades and has become a trusted pillar in the community.
It provides not only material relief but also holistic social support, education, and developmental programmes to hundreds of vulnerable individuals and families.
Founded in 1996, the organisation initially set out as a community development project.
However, as poverty in the area escalated, the vision evolved to address immediate survival needs alongside long-term empowerment.
Today, TNO supports children, youth, the elderly, unemployed people, and emerging welfare organisations across the northern regions of Tshwane and North West province.
At the heart of the organisation’s work is its commitment to poverty relief, with around 150 local families receiving daily cooked meals and fresh produce.
In a typical year, it distributes over 2 400 food parcels, 5 280 loaves of bread, and thousands of clothing items, blankets, and school supplies.
Manager Stephen Nell said the goal is not just to feed and clothe people, but to restore dignity and create pathways to a better future.
“Each donation and every programme we offer is rooted in our belief that no one should be left behind simply because they were born into poverty.”
One of TNO’s flagship initiatives is its pre-school education programme, where 35 Grade RR and R children from disadvantaged backgrounds are taught by qualified educators.
The young learners also receive nutritional meals, school uniforms, and psychosocial support to prepare them for formal education.
Complementing this is the after-school centre, which supports 80 learners from grades 1 to 12 with homework supervision, access to a library and media centre, and stationery and schoolbags.
Nell said TNO employs a registered social worker who provides family counselling, play therapy, group support, and child protection services.
“Many of these interventions arise from referrals by schools, clinics, churches, and other NGOs. The organisation further extends its hand through a mother and infant programme, support for HIV/Aids-affected households, and a substance abuse prevention programme aimed at the youth,” he said.
A unique aspect of TNO is its support to emerging welfare organisations through its outreach leg, Motswedi Wa Lerato.
Currently, 20 such organisations, serving over 2 800 beneficiaries in areas like Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane, Temba, and Klipgat, rely on TNO’s logistical and material assistance.
“People often don’t realise the scale of support needed by smaller welfare groups.
“We assist with food, clothes, and household items to ensure they can continue serving their communities with consistency and dignity,” explained Nell.
TNO’s impact is strenghtened through strategic partnerships with institutions like the Department of Social Development, the Pretoria North Clinic, the National Lotteries Commission, SAPS, and local churches.
Private donors and the Women’s Agricultural Union also play a role, especially in skills development for women and dignity pack distribution for teenage girls through collaboration with the Annebelle Foundation.
During school holidays, TNO offers holiday programmes to keep children safe, engaged, and off the streets.
The programmes focus on creativity, resilience, and life skills. The year ends on a joyful note with the annual Christmas party, where more than 100 children enjoy gifts, meals, and a chance to simply be kids.
Despite economic challenges, especially post-2020, TNO has maintained clean audits and continues to adapt and grow.
Yet, as Nell notes, sustainability remains a concern.
“We survive on the generosity of people, whether it’s R50, a bag of maize or a used blanket. It all counts.
“We are calling on individuals, corporations, and faith-based institutions to walk this journey with us. There’s still so much more we can do.”
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