IKHAYA means HOME: Ikhaya Sanctuary
Let’s Build a Home Together
Who We Are
Mahala Love is an international project advancing health, food, and empowerment for everyday people.
We identify, train, and support leaders to uplift their communities. Our focus is to encourage healthy self-sufficiency in water, food, and shelter through education and project advancement for communities in need.
“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and He has commanded us to Love one another – just as you heard from the beginning.” 2 John 1:6
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
What Are We Doing?
2026 is shaping up to be our biggest year yet as we break ground on our most ambitious initiative to date: Ikhaya Sanctuary. Built on a foundation of 10 years of hands-on experience and relationships on the ground in South Africa, this inspired project represents the deepest evolution of our work in regenerative food and community healing. Stay tuned as we launch our fundraising campaign and unveil what’s next—we are truly awed by the path forward.
While Ikhaya Sanctuary represents our horizon, our roots continue to deepen across our growing network of community partners in South Africa:
Empowering Through Agriculture: At the Royal Diamond Academy in Mandela, Mpumalanga, students are actively caring for chickens provided through our partnership, learning valuable skills in self-sufficiency and animal care. Mahala Love – Sharing with the World
Musawenkosi Garden of Christ (School Garden at MCA in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga): Our longest-running project, which has been growing right alongside us since 2017. Over the years, we’ve continuously expanded our support by planting fruit trees, introducing chickens, and offering hands-on permaculture training for both the kids and the wider community. With a fantastic new school building now up for the learners, this established project continues to thrive. We’ve recently put water management into action here by digging contour swales to turn rainy-season runoff into life-giving moisture, helping our trusted three-year-old garden flourish in its new home.
ARISE Ecological Centre and Seed Library (Giyani, Limpopo): Home to Themba, our dear friend and brother who has been walking this path with us from the very beginning. A permanent home for Mahala Love Limpopo has been constructed on his property, featuring a completed office and seed library. Following visits to exchange seeds, tour local gardens, and help pour concrete, this site hosted an unforgettable seed festival celebrating community knowledge and agricultural resilience.
Jacaranda Gardens (Supported Site): Hosted on the property of our wonderful teammate Stephen, this site serves as a vibrant hub for our mission. Here, Stephen not only models advanced growing techniques for his neighbors, but the space also functions as a hands-on training ground where we build chicken housing for local schools and host community classes. (Click to see what we’ve been up to since April 2024!)
Nurturing Safe Spaces: During our December 2025 trip, we began work at a new site for the Joyous House of Safety orphanage, planting a 20-tree fruit orchard, building three raised beds, and installing a grape arbor complete with shaded seating. Designed to scale up significantly for its growing family of children, it’s a place where kids can learn and play while picking healthy snacks right in the yard.
NEXT TRIP: OCTOBER 2026
What Can YOU Do?
