2025 starts with a bang at Dreamcatcher

anthearos

January 2025

A belated happy new year……2025 started with a bang for Dreamcatcher! On the very first day of the year we were delighted to welcome and host sustainability staff and students from Paul Smith’s College Natural Sciences, New York, USA. This is the second group from Paul Smith’s we’ve had the pleasure to host in South Africa, and in collaboration with the college Dreamcatcher designed the itinerary and facilitated the trip.

As per the ‘Dreamcatcher Way’, throughout the trip we worked with local SME service providers and of course the Dreamcatcher Kamammas. During an exciting and informative programme the ‘Protected Landscapes and Community Sustainability’ class went on Dreamcatcher’s ‘Go Truly Local’ experience. Highlights included learning about:

Sustainability projects in the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve including bee keeping initiatives in Franschoek and community projects in Villierdorp
Award-winning wine production at Nuy Valley from viticulture estate pruner -and local intern community guide
Initiatives to address invasive species and environmental education at Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve at Riversdale
Important conservation work done by Wild Rescue including visiting rescued mountain tortoises finding a caring home at Wild Rescue. In a fun challenge the group also helped to remove 400 invasive plants
The cultural significance of Melkhoutfontein where they went on a walkabout learning about local history and engaged the community. The group contributed to our community collaborative ‘PaintUp with Kamamma’ initiative which celebrates the significant cultural history, nature and lifestyle of the people of Melkhoutfontein on the murals of residents’ homes
Historical sites in Stilbaai including the ancient shell middens and fish traps – where, besides enjoying the sunny blue skies with a dip into the ocean – the students and tutors contributed to maintaining the fish traps which are 4,000 years old built by the first nation, the KhoeKhoen
The Cango Caves, visited the ostrich industry and spotting the ostriches in the fields in Oudtshoorn. The oldest undisputed finds of these birds date from the Miocene of Africa about 20 million years old!
The important conservation work at Addo Elephant Reserve – many were encountered on their 3 safaris – with some really close to the vehicle!
The group also took in the sites in Cape Town including Table Mountain and Robben Island, and had a humbling experience at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

Sharing our work and its legacy, our founder Anthea travelled with the group most of the way. Throughout the trip the group engaged with Dreamcatcher enterprises including CookUp Kamammas Edwina and Rachel whilst staying over at Wild Rescue, collaborating with Kamammas Hendrina, Marie and Chrishene in Melkhoutfontein, and staying at Kamamma Glendyrr’s Island View Homestay in Knysna.

We worked with local SME service providers on logistics – with Saaymans Transport and maverick driver Andries, Tefo Legobate in Johannaesburg, Nathan Bailey at Baileys ZA Tours in Cape Town, our valued group were in safe hands.

We were delighted to have Bevan and Celine from Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve join our group to visit and participate on our sustainability projects along the way.

At Dreamcatcher we are impressed and inspired by the commitment, knowledge -and mindset of the Paul Smiths college students and their accompanying tutors Melanie and Matthew. The grounding -and knowledge transfer which the college empowers prepares students for their own futures, the future of the environment and the people who live in and around it, is laudable. With students of this calibre – the environment and communities are in good hands. Well done Paul Smiths College!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this such a memorable trip. Check out Paul Smith’s College Natural Sciences where staff and students document their daily activities and reflections on the educational trip. We look forward to welcoming you back 😃.

Watch out for posts to come reflecting on our achievements in 2024!

A New Home Office in Melkhoutfontein – celebrating Workers Day

May 4, 2026

We are delighted to have settled into our new Home Office in the heart of Melkhoutfontein — a welcoming and inspiring base from which to grow our work, support enterprises and strengthen community connection. As well as being our administrative office the Dreamcatcher Kids visit twice a week and during school holidays, where they are welcomed into a safe, nurturing space that supports their holistic development. Here, they receive homework assistance, nutritious meals, and opportunities for cognitive growth, creativity, and play—while building social skills, strengthening cultural identity, developing environmental awareness, and growing in confidence. On Workers’ Day, 1 May, Dreamcatcher Kamammas, enterprises and Kids who were available gathered for a joyful celebration. Our legendary CookUp Kamammas prepared delicious food, while project updates were shared, including current initiatives and exciting new programmes soon coming on stream. True to the inclusive spirit of Dreamcatcher, the gathering also created space for discussion, future ideas, practical suggestions and enterprise support. The afternoon ended beautifully with Dreamcatcher children and youth performing a cultural dance celebrating their heritage. The dance, originally developed with volunteer Ally from the United States for a musical staged in April 2025, previously received a standing ovation. After covering event costs through ticket sales, the children generously donated the remaining proceeds — together with eight reams of printing paper — to Melkhoutfontein Primary School to support the school’s valuable work and learning resources. Just as we have done at our previous Home Office (2008-2022), we look forward to continuing to make a positive impact—welcoming international visitors, building meaningful connections, empowering youth and creating many more inspiring stories together 😊

Tourism That Benefits Communities

April 16, 2026

Homestay and CookUp Kamammas host visitors from various countries, offering community homestays, traditional meals, guided tours, and cultural exchanges, supporting

Dreamcatcher engagement with Melkhoutfontein Primary School post

Investing in the Future: Over 20 Years of Working with Local Youth and Melkhoutfontein Primary School

April 1, 2026

Engaging with local youth has always been at the heart of Dreamcatcher’s work. For more than two decades, we have built a strong and meaningful partnership with Melkhoutfontein Primary School — working together to create opportunities, inspire learning, and support the wellbeing of young people in the community. Over the years, this journey has been shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to making a difference. It began in the 1990s with Headteacher Mr Appolis, continued under the guidance of Mr Kleinhans, and then Mrs Flores. Today, we are proud to continue this legacy in partnership with our current Headteacher, Mr Cuttings. Here are some of the highlights since 2013: 📚 Building Foundations for Learning In 2013, with the support of volunteers Marijke and Marjolein from the Netherlands, we helped establish the very first library at Melkhoutfontein Primary School — opening up a world of reading and imagination for learners. Our commitment to literacy has continued over the years. In 2022, we coordinated the STEPi programme to support literacy and cognitive development, including the donation of 362 books to the school. 💪 Supporting Health and Wellbeing In 2015, we launched Kick-Up with Kamamma, a programme designed to support both physical and mental wellbeing, created by our Founder in collaboration with United States fitness professional Debbie Siebers. Filmed at the school, the initiative continues to inspire movement, confidence, and joy. Recently we have been back at the school where our team have been leading Kick-Up classes, Health education has also been a key focus. In 2016, Dr Jean Penny from the USA worked with learners to promote the importance of hygiene, while in 2019 we partnered with Dentaid (UK) to deliver oral health education to 800 learners — with 255 children receiving dental assessments over two weeks. 🎓 Volunteers Our work extends far beyond traditional learning. Volunteers like Romy (Netherlands) have supported geography and literacy, while professional triathlete Evert (Netherlands) encouraged physical activity and healthy lifestyles. In 2025 Ally (USA) Dreamcatcher volunteer supported a powerful community musical called Oop Hok (“Open Cage”) in Melkhoutfontein. Performed by learners and Kamammas, the production explored the heritage and journey of the Khoekhoen people while creating a space for cultural expression and identity. The project also successfully raised funds to support Melkhoutfontein Primary School and Dreamcatcher Kids programme leaving a lasting impact on the community. 🎶 Creativity, Culture, and Inspiration In 2023, we welcomed Dennis Warner and his band from the USA as part of their South Africa tour. Their performances supported literacy and cognitive development, bringing music, storytelling, and inspiration directly to the community including a performance at Melkhoutfontein Primary School and a special performance on the beach for some learners. We remain deeply committed to supporting local youth—both within the school and through our Dreamcatcher Kids programme—nurturing potential, inspiring confidence, and helping shape the next generation of changemakers.