History

In 1998 Isabelle De Smul-Brink came to Plettenberg Bay for the first time as a development worker for Livos, a Belgian NGO that initiated a number of projects in the area. As a licentiate in physical education, with a specialisation in psychomotor therapy for behaviourally disturbed and underdeveloped children, it was her task to organise extra-curricular activities for children from the townships.

She immediately sensed that consistent, ongoing support was necessary if these children were to have any chance. After a few months of intensive networking and research, Isabelle and other volunteers had contacted enough financiers to start the Born in Africa initiative. Fred and Sonja Arijs, property developers and owners of Whale Rock and co-founders of Born In Africa, were the main providers of funds.

Today BIA continues to grow and evolve in order to meet the needs of the children and their communities. In other words, WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!