POLOKWANE – Sara Chabedi (52) and her granddaughter, Hope Chabedi (13), are breaking down barriers and giving young girls the platform to have difficult conversations through the Hope Foundation.

Founded in June last year, the foundation is committed to supporting young girls by offering a space for them to talk about their challenges and providing them with valuable skills for their future.

The inspiration for the foundation came from Hope’s words after Sara’s daughter, who had been in an abusive relationship, returned home to seek protection for her children.

Hope’s desire to protect herself and make better decisions led Sara to take action and create a platform where other young girls could benefit from guidance, education and emotional support.

One of the foundation’s key initiatives is ‘I’m Proud to Be a Virgin’, which helps girls embrace their self-worth while reducing teenage pregnancy.

The foundation provides skills training in areas such as cooking, baking, manicures, pedicures, and wig installations to promote independence and self-sufficiency. This helps girls avoid dependency on men for money, which often leads to vulnerability to diseases and early pregnancies.

With 20 girls currently participating in the programme, the Hope Foundation is looking to expand its impact. They are in need of sponsors to scale up their efforts and secure a venue to assist more girls.

If you’d like to get involved or support the programme, you can reach Sara Chabedi at 081 739 9047.