The Maletsatsi Story
After acting as a place of safety for one or two (at a time) children for many years, we realized that we could better serve the community and children at large, by registering a non-profit that could enlist the assistance of the general public for support.
Prior to the registration, all care of children had been personally funded and simply incorporated into one family budget. But as the number increased, so too did the costs and we realized that formalization was inevitable.
We thought long and hard about the name of our foundation, eventually settling on Tiffini’s childhood nickname, lovingly bestowed on her by the rural community in which her mum taught. ‘Maletsatsi’ – child/mother of the sun. It seemed fitting. It felt right.
And so, The Maletsatsi Foundation was officially registered. Not in our wildest dreams did we anticipate it taking off as it has… although the volume of children who have come through our home has made us acutely aware of how miserably we are failing women as a whole… but that for a different time!
At present, The Maletsatsi Foundation consists of three homes – Letśatśi House, Nomalanga House and Selemo House. Each has a house mother (legally responsible for the children) and six babies. We serve as an interim resting place for children as they require us, a place to call home whilst their cases are finalized.
We’re passionate about keeping families together and will do whatever we can to achieve this. When it’s not possible for a child to stay in their first family, we strive to create a deep, connected extended family for each child. Ultimately, we focus on creating secure attachments and optimal individual development. No mater how long a child is with Maletsatsi for, they are someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister and grandchild. Here you will find information about what we do, how we do it, who we are and how you can best support us. Take a tour and see where you might fit in!
The Family Behind The Scenes
We are The Heins… a family of eight with a big heart for children in spaces of need. We come from different backgrounds, our DNA doesn’t all match and we’re all our own very unique humans. But we’re united by our huge love for children and our hope to work to dismantle racism and prejudice in our gorgeous country. We believe these things start at home and our dinner conversations are filled with some very big and meaningful topics.
HI… I’m Tiffini. Multi-tasking-ninja-mom to many. I’m passionate about children being children. I am a glass half full kinda gal who hopes to use my privilege to try and change the narrative around race and gender inequality. I believe that ‘words matter’… a lot… and I am super conscious about the way we speak of and to our children and one another. I have always wanted a huuuuuuuuuuuge family and feel like I am living my ‘South African dream’ right now! I love this country with the very fibres of my being and want nothing more than to dedicate my life to serving the children of our land so as to make tangible change in the way in which we relate to one another.
This is my long-suffering engineer of a husband, Richard. He’s a gem who’s put up with a lot of crazy ideas over the last 22 years… and as he regularly reminds me, dealt with more human excrement than should ever be legal. Without a shadow of doubt, he’s the coolest daddeo in town. His life’s philosophy, ‘don’t be kak, be lekker’ sums him up pretty darn well… We’d be rather lost without this man!
This is Sophie-Mae, born in 2012 with the heart and soul of a granny. This kid is a legend. She’s our firstborn and the big sister of the family. She lives up to expectations in the most amazing way and is always helping with the babies, who adore her. When she’s not playing mother-hen, you can find her with her horses, growing her equestrian dream or working on her own little non-profit, Zonke Izingane.
This is Harvey Elliot, our second bord child and first son. He’s a real softy with a heart of gold and looooooves a great big snuggle! He’s crazy about his motorbike and love to play with his siblings. You’ll often find him dismantling and putting back together various engine powered objects, or playing an elaborate game of make-believe on ‘his farm’. He is my right hand in the garden and gets a great kick out of growing and picking veggies with me (although he’s not so crazy about eating them). He is the gentlest, sweetest big brother who takes his role of protector very seriously.
Mac & Cheese joined our family when he was 7 months, in 2017. Because he is in foster care with us, we are not allowed to show you his delightful face, but he’s a charmer, we’ll tell you that! Macaroni is a giant of a personality. Like his big brother, he has a very gentle and loving side, but that’s only after you’ve got past the chaos and mayhem! Mac is super physical, is a total madman on his motorbike (with a nickname of ‘The Wheelie King”) and is always the instigator of a game of rough and tumble. We’re also pretty sure he’s heading for the front row of the Springboks.
Never did there live a bigger drama queen than The Goose. Born in 2017, she remains the dinkiest little human.. physically… but do not be fooled as she has a gargantuan personality and a pair of lungs to match. We’re pretty certain that the octave she can hit is paranormal, but there’s never a doubt as to where she is as you can always. hear. her. Goose loves gymnastics, swimming and is a very proud horse-mom. She’s got more energy than the energizer bunny and uses it from the second she opens her eyes each day!
The fifth child in our nuclear family, Kgotso Tau has been with us since a few days after his birth. Meeting him in that little hospital bed changed something in me immediately… we didn’t know he would be part of our forever before we met, but it became pretty obvious pretty fast. Although his name indicates he is demure.. he is NOT. This is the biggest mischief in one human body. A real fifth child, this boy loves to be naughty in the cutest possible way. He gets away with murder because of his charm.. and well, fifth child… This kid is such a huge little person and loves nothing more than to act like a big brother feeding and cuddling any babies he can.
Archie Gray, our precious angel boy, was born to us in August 2022. His life was too brief. Arch was the highly anticipated sixth and final piece of this puzzle. Never in the world has a little boy been so joyfully anticipated. Never were hearts more broken that ours on day 11 of his life when we were told he was terminally ill. Our sweet boy lived a hugely impactful and beautiful life for 114 days, when he passed peacefully in our home. Loved beyond measure and missed daily. You can support Archie’s legacy and spectacular life through our little heart project in his honour, Archie’s Archive.
