About Golden Sunbeams e.V.
Britta Belz and Bernd Holtkamp founded their association in 2018Our Goal: To improve Opportunities for disadvantaged Children and their Families in Townships
A young association with 20 years of tradition
Bernd Holtkamp, with his German degree in engineering and manager of a major German logistics company, came to South Africa in 1995 from near Frankfurt. With commitment and passion he rolled up the sleeves of his business shirt and built his first kindergarten in the township of Macassar, 45 kms southeast of Cape Town, the “Helderberg Golden Sunbeam.”
There was a great need among many township residents to have their children safely accommodated while they worked or looked for a job. In addition, the education, care and socialisation of children was a prerequisite for equal opportunities and a successful and secure future.
The kindergarten in Macassar, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018, takes care of about 90 children today. Many of the former learners are proud that they have successfully passed matric. This is also thanks to their education at “Helderberg Golden Sunbeam.”
As a consequence, other projects in the Cape region have followed. Bernd Holtkamp has independently built and supported other kindergartens which have been mainly financed by him and by private donors.
Britta Belz, formerly manager of a Frankfurt-based financial company and specialist in marketing and communications, moved to Gordon’s Bay in 2014. Since then she has actively supported charity projects for township children in the Cape region. She searched for projects and tasks that could improve the living conditions of the children sustainably.
Bernd and Britta decided to combine their experiences as well as their energies in autumn 2017 by establishing a joint association, “Golden Sunbeams e.V.” The aim of the project is to help children with a variety of projects that improve their living conditions and which overcome disadvantages and inequalities. Sustainability is the founder’s motto. They promote and initiate self-help projects in particular.
These projects are divided into the following actions:
1. Construction and rebuilding of kindergartens
2. Care, maintenance and furnishing of kindergartens
3. Building of playgrounds and green areas
4. Planting of vegetable gardens for healthy, own supply
5. Supporting events and organising trips
6. Acquisition and distribution of food donations
And today?
Today, Bernd no longer wears white business shirts. He is immediately discernible in the colourful check shirts he wears. And Britta has found her true calling with “Golden Sunbeams e. V.”
“Golden Sunbeams e. V.” is independent of ethnic, religious, ideological and economic interests.
Join Golden Sunbeams!
A donation, membership, or voluntary work: every means of contributing helps to create better opportunities for disadvantaged children and their families in the Cape Town townships.