About Us

Viva Foundation is a registered Non-Profit and Public Benefit Organisation in South Africa, Germany, the UK and Brazil

History

Founded in 2007 by Leon Kriel and Meleney Berry-Kriel, the Viva Foundation has grown from one centre with 17 children in the first Early Learning Centre in the Alaska Informal Settlement, Mamelodi East, South Africa, to an organisation serving thousands of direct beneficiaries and impacting broader society through its developed programmes, projects and initiatives. 

Current Focus

The focus is on alleviating poverty, by responding to its symptoms and remedying its causes.  Education, Food Security and Safety are foundational to the philosophy and approach of the organisation.  Enterprise Development, promotion of the Arts and the prevention and response to Sexual Violence, are services provided. 

Viva Team 

The Viva Team consists of 45 full-time staff, assisted by part-time staff and several hundred volunteers getting involved annually.  It is possible to volunteer at Viva for short-term, once off, or sporadic activities, as well as medium- and long-term volunteering.  

Viva Fund Development Strategy

The Viva Foundation relies on donations, sponsorships and Corporate Social Investments to perform its duties and services to its beneficiaries.  The approach is to create a strong partnership between the Viva Team, the Beneficiary and the Benefactor, in order to optimise impact.  Beneficiaries are encouraged and assisted to self-empowerment through a focus on active involvement.  The aim is to obtain funding from as varied and broad a donor-base as possible.  Different kinds and sources of funding is sought and it is commitment of the Viva Management to show funders the visible impact of their support. 

A number of sustainability projects are in place to augment the Viva Fund Development strategy, namely utilising Capital assets in fundraising e.g. renting out the school hall and facilities, profit-sharing in a guest cottage, market days and subsidised fee contributions by beneficiaries. 

Compliance and responsible stewardship of resources

The Viva finances are audited independently and a Financial Policy governs athe management of all resources.