The Empathologist Foundation

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The Empathologist Foundation

We wholeheartedly embrace empathy, recognizing its profound impact on individuals facing various parenthood-related challenges.

The Empathologist Foundation is driven by a commitment to enhance the well-being of individuals who find themselves in difficult parenthood situations, with a special focus on those facing vulnerable circumstances, one empathic connection at a time!

At the core of our mission lies the belief in providing support and empowerment to those who have faced life-altering choices or are navigating th

e repercussions of the actions of others. These endeavours are designed not only to cultivate a sense of self-esteem and self-worth but also to bolster employability, enabling them to navigate life's challenges with resilience and confidence. Whether navigating the complexities of an undesired pregnancy, considering giving their child up for adoption, grappling with the emotional aftermath of adoption, struggling with postpartum depression, facing the difficulties of single parenthood, or navigating other dynamics such as foster care or guardianship, amongst others, we offer support and provide them with the resources and understanding they need to navigate these situations. Our diverse team comprises individuals from varied backgrounds and industries, brought together by a shared commitment to uplifting others. From social anthropology to advertising, from culinary arts to entrepreneurship, each member brings unique skills and perspectives. With a focus on community-driven initiatives, we strive to foster positive change, empower marginalized voices, and address parenthood challenges with creativity, empathy, and unwavering dedication.

20/08/2026

A ROOM FULL OF STORIES, LEARNING AND JOY 💙

Today, our Community Conversations team of community storytellers had two very special guests joining us.

Ella Coffey brought her enthusiasm and experience as a social media expert, helping our team think about how we tell our stories, create meaningful content and even describe who we are.

Ronel Stevens brought her own powerful story of becoming the amazing human being she is today, together with her experience as a Manager at Mosaic. But she also brought plenty of joy, laughter and a challenge that, at first, seemed impossible!

And yet, through communication, teamwork and a little bit of frustration, we discovered something important: sometimes the impossible becomes possible when we stop trying to do everything alone.

Thank you, Ella and Ronel, for sharing your time, experience and beautiful energy with us.

Today, our office was filled with stories, learning, teamwork… and lots of joy. 💙

Ella Coffey Red & Yellow School

17/08/2026

This Women's Month, we're celebrating the extraordinary women who walk alongside The Empathologist Foundation.

Today we celebrate Georgie Graham: The Builder. 🔨💙

There she is, with all that blonde hair and that great smile, looking innocent enough... But Georgie is a woman who gets things done. And yes, that glass in her hand is bubblies! 🥂 Georgie is a true social butterfly who loves celebrating life, friendship and the people around her. And we absolutely love that about her.

A dear friend, a hands-on inspiration, and someone who has built her own success from the ground up through perseverance, hard work and plenty of determination, all while raising her two sons, one of whom has also become a very dear friend.

Georgie has supported us in many ways, including donating beautiful pieces of furniture that helped turn our office into something much more than a workplace: a place that feels like home.

She also came to spend time with our women and teach them some basic bookkeeping. She arrived with notebooks and practical knowledge, ready to help them understand the numbers behind their businesses.

But we suspect the lesson that stayed with them wasn't only about bookkeeping. It was Georgie's story.

A story of starting from the ground up, working hard, persevering and creating something of your own. A story they could take home and share with their families.

Sometimes the most powerful teaching isn't what you write on a whiteboard. It's what you show people by the way you live.

Thank you, Georgie, for being that kind of inspiration, for believing in our women, and for helping make our little office feel a bit more like home.

We hope to see you many, many more times.

Our casa es tu casa. 🇪🇸💙

Thank you for choosing to Walk With Her.

If you feel moved by the story of this exceptional woman, please consider supporting our Walk with Her campaign on BackaBuddy. Every contribution helps us create more opportunities, provide better resources, and make an even greater impact.
👉 https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/walk-with-her-birth-mothers-thriving

16/08/2026

Falling, Rebuilding, Becoming

Yesterday, I found myself in a room filled with women. Women leading, questioning, fighting, rebuilding. Women coming together because they believe South Africa can be better.

I was one of only three men in the room. And somehow, I felt completely at home.

Perhaps it was because my dear friend Debbie was beside me, the person who invited me into this space. Or perhaps because the conversation touched something deeply personal: the courage it takes to fall, to rebuild, and to find, or sometimes redefine, who we are.

Supporting and empowering women is at the heart of what we do at our humble foundation. But yesterday reminded me that this work is also about recognising our own journeys.

I too am still falling, rebuilding, searching for identity and learning what comes next.

And perhaps that is the secret: we don’t have to rebuild alone.

We need each other. We need to listen, collaborate, make space and keep showing up.

Because creating a better South Africa is not a women’s cause or a men’s cause. It is a cause we fight for together.

Thank you, Rachel, for your openness, your honesty and the joy you brought into that room. And thank you, Debbie, for bringing me along.

Sometimes, the places we are invited into remind us of something we had forgotten about ourselves.

14/08/2026

This Women's Month, we're celebrating the remarkable women who walk alongside The Empathologist Foundation.

Today we celebrate Pam Coffey: The Quiet Force.

If you've ever met Pam, you'll know she would much rather be behind the camera than in front of it. Having her photograph taken has been a lifelong pet hate, so this beautiful, smiling portrait is a little gift to us, and to you.

Because sometimes the people who deserve to be seen most are the ones who spend their lives making sure everyone else is.

Pam is Communications Manager at Starlight Media and the StarBaby Competition, but to us she is so much more. She is one of the mothers of our Foundation.

Quietly, often from behind her laptop, she keeps conversations flowing, relationships growing and communities connected.

We've been fortunate enough to be StarBaby's Charity of the Month three times. That happened because Pam believed in us, our mission and the women we walk beside.

Sometimes, that's all a young organisation needs: someone who quietly says, "I see what you're doing. Keep going." Her support has helped us find our voice, our community and our hope for the future.

People often think change is made by the loudest voices. We've learned that some of the biggest differences are made by the quietest ones.

Pam, thank you for your trust, generosity, support and friendship.

Thank you, Mama. 💙

If our stories or Pam's story moves you, please consider supporting our Walk With Her campaign, and walk with these amazing ladies we support till they can walk alone.

👉 https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/walk-with-her-birth-mothers-thriving

StarBaby South Africa

13/08/2026

When Ingrid Shows Up

As we told you in our previous post, Ingrid shows up. And she did.

She came to spend time with our Community Storytellers, talking about something at the heart of what we are trying to teach them: the value of good questions, the right attitude and good manners when interviewing people.

She arrived in her best spirit, rolled up her sleeves, or, more accurately, took off her fabulous tiger-print blazer, and got straight into it.

What followed was a session filled with questions, notes, stories and plenty of laughter.

And there is something rather special about learning from someone who has spent 15 years editing magazines, listening to stories and knowing when the right question can open a door. Because interviewing isn’t just about getting answers.

It is about curiosity. Respect. Listening. And creating a space where someone feels comfortable enough to share their story.

The team’s verdict afterwards?

“The best experience.”
“She is great fun.”
“I learned a lot.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Thank you, Ingrid, for sharing your experience, your energy and your humour with our team. And, of course, for bringing the tiger blazer. 💙 We are very lucky to have you walking alongside us.

12/08/2026

This Women’s Month, we’re celebrating the extraordinary women who walk alongside The Empathologist Foundation.

Today we celebrate Ingrid Corbett: The Story Weaver.

Some people tell stories. Ingrid makes you feel them.

Magazine editor. Creative thinker. One of the sharpest pens we’ve had the privilege of knowing. She somehow always finds the right words, whether she’s making you laugh, think, or see the world differently.

She’s witty. Colourful. Creative. Kind. Human. And her laugh is as memorable as her writing.

And yes... she’s impossible to miss. Patterns, colours, personality… Ingrid doesn’t just wear creativity; she lives it. With her permission, we simply had to share this wonderfully vibrant photo because, honestly, it couldn’t be more “Ingrid”.

She isn’t always easy to pin down, creative people rarely are, but when the chips are down, she’s there. Every single time.

When we launched our Community Conversations project, Ingrid immediately offered to spend time with our interns, sharing what every great communicator knows: writing isn’t just about words; it’s about helping people feel seen and heard.

Because if there’s a story waiting to be told, Ingrid knows how to find its heartbeat.

And if you follow her Instagram, you’ll discover another talent: turning the wonderfully chaotic adventure of raising three boys into stories that will make you laugh and nod in recognition.

Ingrid, thank you for reminding us that stories can connect communities, inspire change and celebrate our shared humanity.

Thank you for choosing to Walk With Her. 💙

If Ingrid’s story has moved you, please consider supporting our Walk With Her campaign. Every contribution helps us create more opportunities and support women on their journey.

👉 BackaBuddy: https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/walk-with-her-birth-mothers-thriving

11/08/2026

Sometimes, all you need is an excuse to bring good people together.

Last Thursday, as part of our Women’s Month celebrations, we had the pleasure of welcoming two wonderful colleagues from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance course to our office. It was also the perfect opportunity to reconnect after the ten intense weeks we shared learning, questioning, and growing together.

Mark (with a k 😉), who is usually based in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, happened to be in Cape Town, while Ronel was planning to explore the city’s galleries for First Thursdays. We were fortunate to make our paths cross.

At The Empathologist Foundation, we want our office to be more than just a workplace. We want it to be a space where people meet, exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and imagine better systems together. Because meaningful systems change is never the work of one person alone, it is built through relationships, conversations, and collective courage.

Thank you, Mark and Ronel, for being part of the celebration and for continuing the conversations that began in the classroom.

Next time, we hope to have even more of our classmates and colleagues around the table. There is still so much to discuss, learn from one another, and build together.

10/08/2026

This Women’s Month, we’re celebrating the remarkable women who walk alongside The Empathologist Foundation.

Today we celebrate Naomi & Veronica: The Gardeners of Hope. 🌱
Mother and daughter. Two extraordinary women with kind hearts, open minds and the gentlest of voices.

We first met through our Instagram page. A few conversations were enough to realise that we shared the same values, so we drove to Worcester to meet them. The rest has been a friendship built on learning, laughter, and many heartfelt conversations and messages.

As Kanga Moms, Naomi and Veronica care for babies before they join their adoptive families or they are reunified with their biological families, surrounding them with love, safety and stability during one of the most important chapters of their lives. But what has inspired us just as much is their compassion for biological mothers.
They understand that adoption is often misunderstood, shaped by culture, circumstance and stigma. Rather than judging, they choose to listen. Rather than assuming, they choose to understand.

Alongside this, they continue serving children in their community through their after-school programme, Treasure Kidz, creating opportunities and brighter futures.
And then there’s another beautiful gift. Naomi creates the most beautiful crochet pieces. Seeing her work on Instagram reminds us of the way they both live their lives: patiently, one stitch at a time, creating warmth, comfort and hope for others.
Every conversation with Naomi and Veronica helps us understand this journey a little better and reminds us that real change begins with compassion, and with extraordinary Kanga Moms.
Thank you for nurturing hope, for standing with vulnerable mothers, and for choosing to Walk With Her. 💙
If you feel moved by the story of these exceptional women, please consider supporting our Walk with Her campaign on BackaBuddy. Every contribution helps us create more opportunities, provide better resources, and make an even greater impact.
👉 https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/walk-with-her-birth-mothers-thriving

09/08/2026

Women’s Day, the Empathologist way. 💙

Today, South Africa celebrates Women’s Day.

And we chose to celebrate by doing what we believe in: showing up, creating opportunities and building connections.

Today we’re bringing work chairs for our four amazing new female interns as they settle into their new workspace. And we had the pleasure of meeting Xolisa Sinegu, an extraordinary man who founded and manages Yizani Kuthi NPO, with whom we have had the privilege of engaging over the past couple of months, and with whom we are now excited to begin collaborating.

Because supporting women is not only about what we say. It’s about the spaces we create, the opportunities we open, and the people we choose to stand alongside.

Yes, it’s Sunday.
Yes, it’s a public holiday.
But we’re here.

Because Empowered Women Empower the Nation.

Today, we celebrate the women we work with, the women who collaborate with us, the women who inspire us, and everyone who helps build a more equal future.

💙 Happy Women’s Day from The Empathologist Foundation.

08/08/2026

This Women’s Month, we’re celebrating the remarkable women who walk alongside The Empathologist Foundation. Women who give their time, their knowledge and their hearts to help others flourish.

Today we celebrate Tania Kliphuis.
Friend. Mother. Writer. Reader. Storyteller. Champion of reading for pleasure.

If you’ve ever met Tania, chances are she was carrying a book. (We’re still investigating whether she owns a handbag that isn’t secretly a portable library.)
When she joined us to facilitate a reading-for-pleasure workshop with the young women of The Voice of an Angel, she reminded us that books do far more than teach us to read. They help us imagine, question, heal and dream.

Her love of stories brings to mind the qualities traditionally associated with Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, speech and wisdom. Not because anyone could replace such a revered figure, but because Tania embodies the same generous spirit of sharing knowledge and nurturing curious minds.

Thank you, Tania, for helping our girls discover that every story they read also gives them permission to write their own.

Here’s to the women who continue to Walk With Her—one book, one conversation and one life at a time. 💙📚

If you feel moved by the story of this exceptional woman, please consider supporting our Walk with Her campaign on BackaBuddy. Every contribution helps us create more opportunities, provide better resources, and make an even greater impact.
👉 https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/walk-with-her-birth-mothers-thriving

Address

Cape Town

Website

http://www.theempathologist.life/

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