At The Harry Crossley Foundation, we are committed to supporting impactful initiatives that promote equity and well-being in South Africa’s most vulnerable communities. One such initiative is Little Lions Child Coaching, an inspiring organisation working to bring mental health awareness and emotional support to children living in impoverished and underserved areas of Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
Recently, our team — Linda Fredman, Kristin Larsen, and Thuli Mashabane — had the privilege of visiting Little Lions at their new offices in Salt River, Cape Town. We were warmly welcomed by the dedicated team of Stijn, Nomfundo, and Zaida, who shared more about their work and invited us to sit in on one of their powerful training workshops.
Little Lions’ vision is rooted in a powerful belief: that every child, regardless of their background, deserves to grow up with a deep understanding of their own mental well-being and the tools to build emotional resilience. In communities where access to mental health services is extremely limited, their work is both urgent and life-changing.
Through playful, psychology-informed games and activities, Little Lions helps normalise mental health conversations with children in townships and low-income communities, where these topics are often taboo or overlooked. Their workshops create safe spaces for children to express themselves, learn emotional coping skills, and begin building strong, healthy foundations for the future.
During our visit, we had the opportunity to observe one of the workshops. It was incredibly moving to see these young leaders deeply engaged, reflecting on their own experiences, and learning how to support children in need. The session was filled with warmth, laughter, honest conversations, and an unmistakable sense of purpose.
It’s clear that these Fellows are not only gaining valuable skills — they’re also becoming role models and champions for mental health in communities that have long been underserved.
A heartfelt thank you to Stijn, Nomfundo, Zaida, and the entire Little Lions team for hosting us and for their unwavering dedication to creating a future where no child is left behind in the journey to mental well-being.
