This year has been one of deep reflection and renewed purpose for TREE. Celebrating 40 years has allowed us to pause, not just to look back at what has been achieved, but to consider what it means to carry forward a legacy. The theme that has guided us— “Remember the TREE. Water the TREE”. Legacy to 40 years and beyond” has been both a grounding and inspiring reminder of who we are.
For me, remembering the tree is about honouring the visionaries who dared to believe that children in rural and under-resourced communities deserved more. It is about acknowledging the practitioners, trainers, and community leaders who, often against the odds, have kept this vision alive. Watering the tree is about recognising the urgent needs of today—strengthening the workforce, ensuring that every child has access to quality early learning, and standing in solidarity with families who are doing their best under very difficult circumstances. And looking beyond is about courage: the courage to innovate, to adapt, and to lead the sector into a future where no child is left behind.
At the heart of this journey is one truth: TREE’s strength lies in partnership. Nothing we have achieved has been done alone. Every milestone, every centre that has been supported, every child who has been reached, has been the result of collaboration—between donors and communities, between practitioners and policymakers, between those who give resources and those who give of themselves. Partnership is not simply part of our strategy; it is our lifeblood.
In 2024, this truth was made visible through the energy of our 40th anniversary celebrations and the promise of new initiatives such as Sivulithuba. These moments were reminders that when we work together, we multiply our impact. They also signalled that TREE’s next chapter must be one of deeper collaboration, where partnerships become platforms for innovation and collective accountability.
As we move beyond our 40-year milestone, I hold a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude to every person and organisation that has believed in TREE’s mission. Gratitude to my colleagues, whose commitment continues to inspire. And gratitude to the communities we serve, who remind us daily that the work of ECD is not only about education—it is about justice, dignity, and hope.
Our task now is to ensure that TREE’s roots remain strong and its branches wide, so that generations of children can find shade, nourishment, and possibility. This is the legacy we are called to steward—not for ourselves, but for prosperity the children of South Africa, the future.
Love and Light
Please click the image below to download and view our 2024 annual report:
