A place of hope
We shine Gods light and love into the lives of critically ill children by visiting their hospital bedsides and gifting them a comforting teddy to cuddle; reminding them that they are loved and emotionally supportiing through compassion, care and prayer.
About Us
Naleli Foundation serves children in both public and private hospitals, walking alongside families facing critical illness, prolonged hospital stays and life-changing diagnoses. Guided by faith and compassion, we prayerfully enter each ward believing that every child deserves to know they are deeply loved, seen, remembered, and worthy of kindness - no matter what they are facing.
Our teddy bears are so much more than toys. They become brave companions, quiet comforters, and faithful friends in places that can feel frightening and unfamiliar. For many children, they are something to hold onto when everything else feels uncertain. They become a source of courage before surgery, comfort through treatment, and a tangible reminder that someone cares.
Each donated teddy is carefully washed, sanitised, repaired if needed, lovingly wrapped, and prayed over before finding its way into the arms of a child. We have watched tiny hands cling tightly to their new companion as they are wheeled into theatre, seen children cuddle them through chemotherapy, dialysis and intensive care, and heard countless families tell us that these simple gifts brought comfort, courage and hope during some of the hardest days of their lives.
Alongside our B.E.A.R. Initiative (Bears Encouraging Awareness and Resonance), we provide blankets, beanies, bonding hearts, seasonal care packages and other practical items that bring warmth, dignity and encouragement to children and their caregivers. Throughout the year, we partner with hospitals, schools, businesses, churches and communities to create meaningful moments of hope exactly where they are needed most.
What started as a single Christmas initiative, fondly known as Sunninghill Santa, has grown into year-round hospital outreach. Every week, volunteers collect, wash, sort, repair, sanitise, wrap and prepare hundreds of donations so they are ready for the next child who needs comfort, encouragement and a reason to smile.
The name Naleli means “Star.” Just as the Bethlehem Star guided people towards hope, our prayer is that our foundation will shine God’s light into hospital wards, pointing families towards comfort, compassion and hope - even in life’s darkest seasons.
Everything we do is rooted in one simple belief:
Every child deserves something soft to hold, someone to believe in them, and the reassurance that they are deeply loved.
We know we cannot change every diagnosis.
But we can change how a child experiences the journey.
Thank you for being part of our story. Whether you donate a teddy, volunteer your time, partner with us or simply pray for the families we serve, you become part of bringing hope into hospital rooms across South Africa.
Together, we are holding onto hope - one child, one family, and one cuddly companion at a time.