Trulife

Trulife’s mission is to inspire and educate young people to make smart and healthy choices for their lives. This is done by presenting live performances that tackle topics relevant to students from Grade 6 to 12, followed by interactive workshops run by our team. An innovative printed and digital 4-week curriculum is provided to teachers as a helpful resource to develop each topic fully. Topics include bullying, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, sex, and social justice, all presented in a format which is attention-grabbing, relevant, and impactful, using drama, dance, poetry and film.

Please list links to your Website and Social Media Platforms here:

www.trulife.org.za
www.facebook.com/trulifedurban
Instagram: trulifedurban

Describe in detail what your Organisation does:

Trulife works to provide a solution to the many social and health problems facing South Africa’s youth today. The topics addressed include bullying, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, sex, and social justice and are aimed at Grades 6 – 12. Trulife’s work takes the form of a three-pronged approach:

1. Live productions. These 45-minute shows are designed to be performed at the school and present the topic in a dynamic and relevant way, using drama, dance, poetry and media.
2. Interactive workshops. After each production, our team lead small groups of students through a more in-depth discussion of the topic and related issues. This is a chance for students to open up, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the content.
3. Printed and digital curriculum. Trulife leave each teacher with a beautifully designed 4-week curriculum, to be unpacked in the classroom. This empowers the teacher, aligns with the existing Life Orientation syllabus, and ensures the message stays in the students minds.

How long has your Organisation been operational?

7 years

In your opinion, what has been the most challenging aspect of running your Organisation?

Balancing the need for growth (in staff and impact) with maintaining healthy cash flow and high standards of operation.

Describe your Nonprofit Journey in three words:

Tough, surprising, worth-it!

Do you collaborate with other Causes? If yes, would you like to mention them?

Yes. Ingane Yami, Red Sand Project, A21, The Guardian, LOVE ministry.

If you had one Organisation wish, what would it be?

More visibility for the work we do, including an easier way to measure and report on our impact.

In your opinion, which skills do Nonprofits in your Country lack?

Financial and strategic planning, collaboration.

Looking back at your Cause Journey, what advice would you give a newbie Organisation?

Have a clear plan in place, build solid relationships – sometimes depth is better than width. Make sure your team are sold on the vision and try set up healthy professional practices from day one.

If you could change one thing about the Nonprofit Landscape, what would it be?

Greater opportunities to Network with other NPOs, but also with funders and experts for training.

Which Cause achievement are you most proud of? Feel free to elaborate on why and include any links:

Last year we took one of our productions – usually performed in schools for Grade 10 -12s – to the National Arts Festival. It was incredible to see our young performers, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds, excelling on a national stage. This exposure led to many more great opportunities, including being featured in an Art’s Festival at the Playhouse Theatre. While this was a highlight for our team, I am so proud of how even in all this exciting activity, they remained focused on the mission – raising awareness about Human Trafficking. Our proudest moment was playing a part in preventing a young Durban girl from being trafficked through a fake modelling agency – brought to our attention all because of the show she watched.

Last question, if your friends had to describe your Organisation in three words, which would they use?

Creative, hardworking, fun.