Our Story
From student allowances to community impact
The remarkable journey of Fa Charity Organisation and the power of starting small.
It all began on 17 August 2020. What started as a simple gesture — using student allowances to buy food for a few families — has grown into a structured force for grace and relief in Pretoria.
The inception of FA Charity Organisation (FACO) wasn’t marked by a massive endowment or corporate sponsorship. It was born from a grassroots recognition of immediate need. A small group of university students looked around their community and decided that their modest allowances could be stretched to provide basic sustenance for those struggling nearby. This act of profound empathy laid the foundation for an organisation built on the ethos of putting people first.
Track record
What we’ve accomplished
Through dedicated partnerships and community trust, we have expanded our reach across key regions, ensuring relief is delivered efficiently and with dignity.
School Shoes
Donated over 25 pairs of school shoes to Ore File primary school in Olivenhoutsbosch, ensuring children could walk to class with dignity.
Tembisa Partnership
Partnered with Mukoko M in Tembisa to distribute more than 50 boxes of supplements during flu season.
Entrepreneur Rescue
Rescued an entrepreneur who had her market stock confiscated and lost her home — we provided food and one month’s rent to help her restart.
Student Exam Support
Supported students during exam season with food parcels, because no one should study on an empty stomach.
2024 Women’s Empowerment
With Future Families and Beautiful Rubies, empowered 50 women in the Congolese diaspora with food parcels, entrepreneurial training and feminine product parcels.
Christmas Joy
Partnered with the Precious K Foundation to deliver 15 food parcels, preloved clothing and restaurant vouchers so families could celebrate the season.
2026 Women’s Empowerment
With Beautiful Rubies, empowered 50 migrant women in Berea and Yeoville through financial management and business talks, plus 50 food parcels with UNHCR.
Why food matters
“I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!”
— Psalm 119:19
We view those we serve not merely as beneficiaries, but as “sojourners” — travellers navigating the difficult terrains of life. Providing sustenance is the first step in restoring grace and offering hope.
According to a national study on South African households by Mkhize et al. (2022), household hunger creates long-term barriers to childhood learning, directly impacting cognitive growth, school readiness, and regular educational progress.
Mkhize, S., Libhaber, E., Sewpaul, R., Reddy, P., & Baldwin-Ragaven, L. (2022). Child and adolescent food insecurity in South Africa: A household-level analysis of hunger. PLOS ONE, 17(12), e0278191. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278191
Looking ahead
Our vision for tomorrow
FACO is moving beyond immediate relief toward sustainable empowerment — robust growth, extensive student training programmes and community leadership.
Enterprise & Financial Literacy
Poverty-specific budgeting skills and an informal-to-formal business growth track.
Sport & Talent Cultivation
Identifying and developing young talent through partnerships with sports academies.
Food Security & Vertical Farms
Balcony and building-integrated farms feeding a communal stash for chef schools and drop-in centres.
Health & Wellness
Monthly pro bono clinic spaces, a medication fund and park workouts with a trainer for preventative health care.
Education Pipeline
Varsity tutors feed a chain: tutoring → bursaries → mentorship → giving back as donors.
Partner with us
These programmes only scale with committed partners. Bring your organisation, skills or resources and help us build lasting change together.
Join our story
Your contribution helps us write the next chapter of hope and relief in Pretoria. Every allowance, every donation counts.
Monthly goal: 75% reached