Community Builders: Tess Britz and Candice Poole
Founders: Heartfelt Projects
Why are Tess and Candice Community Builders?
The saying "charity begins at home" is certainly true of mother and daughter, Tess Britz and Candice Poole. Driven by a desire to make a difference in their community, and an artistic flair and energy that had been lying dormant, they started Heartfelt.
Heartfelt is a women empowerment skills project bringing together a group of ladies in the townships to make hand-beaded and embroidered products in South Africa.
The project has allowed women who previously had little or no income to put food on the table and restore dignity to their lives.
The mother and daughter pair subscribe to the philosophy that one does not have to wait for a big idea or "light bulb moment" to come, but can start by doing something small but significant in another person's life.
In their own words …
Candice: "I think it's very easy for South Africans to make a difference as families, as people together. We often have the attitude that the government will do everything for us, and that's not the case. If we stand together we can do it ourselves."
Tess: "We cannot control the entire world and what goes on in it, but if we each take responsibility for a small project we are going to make a difference, and that's the only way we're going to move forward."
Fast Facts
- Heartfelt was nominated for Business of the Year by the Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce.
- The project started off with five women in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
- Their dream is to expand the project to every major township in South Africa.
- Candice is a qualified teacher and worked as an educator for two years before starting Heartfelt.
- Tess is an insurance broker by trade.
How can you help?
Individuals as well as companies can order items that are tailor-made to their specifications. For more information, visit Heartfelt Projects.
Story published on SAinfo on 11 July 2008.
Source: Brand South Africa
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