// History
Our Founder's Story
Pebbles Project was founded in 2004 by Sophia Warner, a special needs teacher from the UK who relocated to South Africa in 2003. With 13 years of experience in special needs education, Sophia was driven by a deep passion for creating meaningful change. She recognised the urgent need for access to quality care and education for children living on farms in South Africa.
Initially focused on supporting children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD), Sophia’s vision expanded as the project evolved. Through extensive research and dedication, Pebbles Project now supports the holistic development of all children, regardless of their ability or disability.
Sophia’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children in farming communities continues to inspire the work of Pebbles Project today. The organisation creates a lasting, positive impact on children and young adults, empowering them to flourish in both their educational and personal development.
Project Timeline
2004
• Registered as an Educational Trust and NPO.
2005
• Official launch.
• Employed 1 staff member.
• Trained 12 ECD Practitioners.
• Supported 5 ECD centres on 5 partner farms.
• Held first fundraising event – abseiling off Table Mountain.
2006
• Supported 170 beneficiaries.
• Employed 3 staff members.
• Raised just under R500,000.
2007
• Launched first 5 After-School Clubs.
• Launched parent workshops.
• Introduced educational trips for the beneficiaries.
• Received a 22-seater bus funded by Audi Winelands and FNB.
2008
• Supported 400 beneficiaries.
• Employed 10 staff members.
• Supported 11 partner farms.
2009
• Supported 500 beneficiaries.
• Celebrated Pebbles’ 5th birthday.
• Employed 13 staff members.
• Trained 29 ECD Practitioners and After-School Club staff.
• Launched the Mobile Toy Library.
• Raised more than R2 million.
2010
• Employed 15 staff members.
• Trained 65 ECD Practitioners and After-School Club staff.
• Won award for innovative ECD project for the Mobile Toy Library.
2011
• Employed 17 staff members.
• Raised more than R3 million.
• Received funding for a new Pebbles vehicle.
2012
• Formalised the 5 pillars of Pebbles: Education, Health, Nutrition, Community and Protection.
• Experienced a funding dip due to the recession.
2013
• Supported 700 beneficiaries on 17 partner farms and two township ECD centres.
• Trained 52 ECD Practitioners and After-School Club staff.
• Received a 15-seater minibus donation.
• Raised more than R3.5 million.
2014
• Supported 850 beneficiaries.
• Celebrated Pebbles’ 10th birthday.
• Employed 32 staff members.
• Trained 62 ECD Practitioners and After-School Club staff.
• Launched the Mobile Computer Lab and Mobile Book Library Programmes.
• Launched the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Launched the Nutrition Service for ECD children.
2015
• Supported over 1,000 beneficiaries.
• Launched the School Leavers Programme.
• Launched the Nutrition Service for After-School Club learners.
• Launched the First Thousand Days (FTD) Programme.
• Raised more than R10 million.
2016
• Fed 585 children per month through the Nutrition Service.
• Launched the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project.
• Added 3 Graff Mobile Learning Centres to the fleet.
• Introduced the Baby Box Initiative into the FTD Programme.
• Managed 5,290 clients through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Distributed 85,797 meals through the Nutrition Service.
2017
• Fed 700 children per month through the Nutrition Service.
• Distributed 47 Baby Boxes.
• Managed 5,290 clients through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Distributed 86,958 meals through the Nutrition Service.
• Raised R20 million.
• 3 school leavers graduated from tertiary courses.
2018
• Fed 894 children per day through the Nutrition Service.
• Distributed 8 Baby Boxes.
• Managed 6,946 clients through the Pebbles Health Clinic, including 3,762 children under 18.
• Distributed 126,124 meals through the Nutrition Service.
• Raised more than R28 million.
• Celebrated 6 learners who graduated from Boland College, Bergzicht Training College and Stellemploy.
2019
• Fed 1,200 children per day through the Nutrition Service.
• Distributed 10 Baby Boxes.
• Conducted 7,055 clinic visits through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Launched the Pebbles Kitchen and distributed 185,000 meals.
• Raised more than R21 million.
• Supplied 229 Grade R learners with school packs.
2020
• Supported 480 After-School learners and 458 FTD and ECD children.
• Fed 1,200 children per day through the Nutrition Service.
• Distributed 7 Baby Boxes.
• Conducted 3,953 clinic visits through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Delivered 1 million meals during lockdown through the Pebbles Kitchen.
• 3 students graduated from tertiary education.
2021
• Supported 1,355 beneficiaries.
• Fed 1,219 children per day through the Nutrition Service.
• Distributed 7 Baby Boxes.
• Conducted 4,059 clinic visits through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Launched the Twinings Mobile Health Clinic in Clanwilliam.
• Expanded services to Grabouw on 4 partner farms.
• Supported 686 After-School learners and 537 FTD and ECD children.
• Supported 50 educational centres.
• Trained 92 staff members each month.
• Employed 93 staff members.
• Raised more than R31 million.
2022
• Supported 1,646 beneficiaries.
• Fed 1,058 children per day.
• Distributed 489,000 meals through the Pebbles Kitchen.
• Distributed 16 Baby Boxes.
• Conducted 4,512 clinic visits through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Trained 126 staff monthly.
• Employed 106 staff members.
• Supported 38 partner farms.
• Trained 92 staff members each month.
• Enrolled 73 learners at the Pebbles Academy.
• 17 vehicles in the Pebbles Fleet.
2023
• Supported 1,646 beneficiaries.
• Distributed 700,024 meals through the Pebbles Kitchen.
• Distributed 21 Baby Boxes.
• Conducted 5,435 clinic visits through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Trained 121 staff bi-monthly.
• Employed 118 staff members.
• Supported 37 partner farms.
• 19 vehicles in the Pebbles Fleet.
• Enrolled 73 learners at the Pebbles Academy.
• Engaged 84 teenagers in 6 Sexual Health Workshops.
• Circulated 1,896 books through the Graff Mobile Library.
2024
• Supported 1,339 beneficiaries.
• Celebrated Pebbles’ 20th birthday.
• Distributed 793,208 meals through the Pebbles Kitchen.
• Drove 16,445 kilometres with the Pebbles Mobile Health Clinic.
• Conducted 6,015 clinic visits through the Pebbles Health Clinic.
• Supported 5 geographical areas.
• Received R1,276,067 in in-kind donations.
• Supported 52 educational centres.
• 21 vehicles in the Pebbles Fleet.
• Circulated 14,474 through the Graff Mobile Library.
• Achieved Level 1 BBBEE status.
• Employed 123 staff members.
• Raised R38 million.
2025
• Supported 1,389 beneficiaries.
• Distributed 557,819 meals through the Pebbles Kitchen.
• Conducted 11,755 consultations through the Pebbles Health and Wellness Service.
• Supported 7 geographical areas.
• Received R1,461,096 in in-kind donations.
• Supported 48 educational centres.
• 22 vehicles in the Pebbles Fleet.
• Supported 90 partner farms.
• Employed 119 staff members.
• Raised R48 million.
Join Us In Making An Impact
Melodine is passionate about standing up for people’s rights and uplifting her community. With your kindness and support, beneficiaries like Melodine can pursue their passions and live out their dreams.
