HISTORY

In 1998 Isabelle De Smul-Brink came to Plettenberg Bay as a development worker for a Belgian NGO that initiated a number of projects in the area. As a licentiate in physical education, specializing in psychomotor therapy for behaviorally 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 for the future.

After a few months of intensive networking and research, Isabelle contacted her father Georges De Smul to help her establish an NGO in South Africa. Without delay, Georges contacted Lieve and Remi De Backer, as well as other friends, to invite them to his daughter’s wedding - an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the local situation. Their joint efforts led to the startup of Born in Africa.

In 2003 Born in Africa was officially established in Belgium and in South Africa. Within two months, 40 godparents sponsored 40 children. At the end of the first year, more than 100 godparents supported the program.

To date, Born in Africa has grown to become a well received and respected professional organization with the focus on education and social upliftment. Currently, there are over 400 children in the BIA program.

The functioning of BIA is based on five independent entities, each fulfilling its own role. First, there is the operational department in South Africa itself. This NPO, registered in South Africa, develops and implements its educational project completely independently with local staff. The other entities provide support to the operational NPO in South Africa as a kind of supplier. The non-profit BIA Belgium was launched simultaneously with the South African unit in 2003. Thanks to private initiatives in other countries, support points were established in the Netherlands and Norway in 2012, and in the United Kingdom in 2016. These initiatives grew into legally independent entities in their respective countries, where donations from participating sponsors can benefit from tax advantages.

All units have separate boards and their own accounting with an auditor. All entities remain in close consultation with each other so that mutually reinforcing decisions can be made. Communication takes place through the exchange of reports and regular meetings. The executive central team in South Africa is strengthened by the help of volunteers and ambassadors.