Orphan Care Foundation heART Project
The heART Project provides free weekly after-school therapeutic art classes for children at Westlake Primary School, creating a safe, creative environment where children can build confidence, resilience, emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging through art.
Why does it exist?
Many children in under-resourced communities have limited access to creative arts education and safe after-school activities. The heART Project exists to provide a nurturing space where children can express themselves, develop life skills and experience the healing potential of creativity.
Why does it matter?
Art gives children a voice. Through creative exploration they strengthen confidence, concentration, problem-solving, emotional expression and social connection while discovering that they belong and their ideas matter.
How does it work?
Children attend weekly after-school therapeutic art classes facilitated by trained art facilitators. Sessions include creative projects, reflection, healthy snacks, exhibitions and occasional educational outings.
Community Impact
• 40 children reached weekly.
• Waiting list of approximately 60 learners.
• Improved confidence, creativity, belonging and emotional resilience.
• Opportunities for exhibitions and educational outings.
Annual Goals
Expand access, strengthen programme quality, provide consistent weekly classes, offer enriching outings and exhibitions, and support teacher wellbeing through creative workshops.
Current Needs
Funding for facilitators, art materials, healthy snacks, transport, outings, exhibitions, administration and teacher wellbeing workshops.
How Businesses Can Help
Sponsor a term, a full year, teacher wellbeing workshops, outings, art materials, or partner through CSI and employee volunteering.
How Individuals Can Help
Become a monthly donor, sponsor a child, donate art materials, volunteer creative skills or advocate for the programme.
Illustrative Annual Budget (ZAR)
| Budget Item | Estimated Annual Cost | Notes |
| Lead Facilitator (40 sessions @ R700) | R28,000 | Weekly after-school sessions |
| Assistant Facilitator | R16,000 | Support during sessions |
| Art Materials | R18,000 | Consumables |
| Healthy Snacks | R15,000 | Weekly snacks |
| Educational Outings & Celebration | R20,000 | Increased allocation |
| Teacher Wellbeing Workshops | R16,000 | 4 workshops @ R4,000 (materials optional) |
| Transport | R8,000 | Programme logistics |
| Administration & Coordination | R15,000 | Planning, reporting, donor liaison |
| Monitoring & Evaluation | R6,000 | Impact measurement |
| Contingency | R5,000 | Unexpected costs |
| Total Estimated Annual Budget | R147,000 |
The programme currently reaches approximately 40 learners at Westlake Primary School, with two classes of around 20 learners. The school does not have its own art department, making access to creative development particularly valuable. The programme has also experienced significant demand from children wanting to participate.
Activities extend beyond simply making art. Children are exposed to new techniques, collaborative projects, exhibitions, outings and opportunities to experience Cape Town’s wider creative community.
During the previous reporting year, OCF recorded more than 3,300 meaningful interactions through its therapeutic art programme.
The difference we want to make:
Give children a place to create, belong, build confidence and discover abilities they may never otherwise have had the opportunity to explore.