The Love Trust says that after years of shared learning, collaboration and aligned vision, Trinity will officially become part of The Love Trust family — a bond that strengthens both organisations while preserving their unique identities.

"The culture of excellent Christian education is the same," says Andrew Barnes, a Founding Board Member of Trinity and the Regional Director of The Love Trust in the Western Cape. "We're not just teaching children — we're training the leaders of tomorrow. That's the bigger picture."

A Blueprint for Long-Term Impact

The Love Trust says the journey began three years ago when The Love Trust launched its Western Cape pilot programme in Mitchell's Plain to train preschool teachers. Based on their tried-and-tested adult Teacher Training Centre model, this culminates in the upcoming graduation of the first set of teachers with an NQF Level 4 qualification. The pilot's success has paved the way for a broader teacher training strategy in the province, to offer both NQF Level 4 and 5 in the future.

This is no small feat in a region where Early Childhood Development (ECD) training is desperately needed, and access to quality professional development remains a barrier for many. The Western Cape branch of The Love Trust says it is fully focused on bridging that gap, and Trinity Children's Centre is a vital part of that mission.

A New Model for Sustainability 

Though Trinity and The Love Trust will remain separate non-profit organisations, their alignment means shared governance and access to crucial resources. The trustees of The Love Trust will appoint Trinity's board, with their CEO, Erik van den Top, serving as board chair — a move that ensures sound compliance, policy guidance and long-term sustainability, says the organisation.

"Before this, we were getting too large to manage on our own but not big enough to justify a full management team," Barnes says. "Now we're part of something bigger. We're gaining wisdom, governance and compliance — without starting from scratch."

This management model couldn't have come at a better time. Founding visionary Renier Coetzee, who served as principal and later in a strategic role, has stepped away after years of dedicated service. Rather than developing a leadership vacuum, the board chose to build on his legacy by joining forces with The Love Trust, adds the organisation. 

A Prototype Worth Replicating

"When we started, we were just a few brave and unknowing individuals," Barnes says. "An actuary, a pastor and a social worker. But we had hope, and sometimes a little naïveté is necessary to start something bold in South Africa's crowded NPO space."

Now, as Trinity's first cohort prepares for matric, the school is looking to the future, including dreams of expansion, says The Love Trust. 

The Power of a Shared Banner

With The Love Trust's track record in policy, fundraising and large-scale training programmes, this move hopes to boost donor confidence, says The Love Trust. 

"We're not just a small school anymore," says Barnes. "Being under The Love Trust banner tells funders that we're secure, we're scalable and we're serious."

That includes exciting opportunities to bring trainee teachers to Trinity for in-service learning and to use Trinity as a model pre-school site. There are also bigger dreams of replicating the combined school-and-training model elsewhere, provided the right people and resources can be found, says the organisation. 

"The only thing that stops us now is funding. The expertise is there. The vision is there. We just need the support," Barnes adds.

A Celebration of Progress

On Saturday, 10 May at 10:00, Trinity Children's Centre will celebrate this new chapter with a community celebration event featuring student performances, parent testimonies and a shared sense of purpose. ECD stakeholders, supporters and local media are invited to attend this event that marks the next step in a long-term journey to change lives through education, says the organisation. 

"We're not just teaching one group of children," Barnes says. "We're investing in a community — and we're training the teachers who will go on to shape many more."

The Love Trust concludes that as it continues to spread its footprint, one thing is clear: this is more than an expansion. It's a legacy in the making. One built on faith, courage and the belief that education can unlock a better future for all.

For more information, visit www.thelovetrust.co.za. You can also follow The Love Trust on Facebook or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor