About Us*
Empowering Youth & Fighting Inequality
Our Story: The Heart of Project Sunwave
A Life-Changing Moment
As a small, under-resourced fishing town on South Africa’s West Coast, Lambert’s Bay became the heart of Project Sunwave after a life-changing moment in late 2024- when our founder Chiara Vorster and her mom pulled a young boy from the ocean just in time, after other children had thrown him in as a joke.
Realisation of Urgent Needs
They quickly realised that most kids couldn’t swim, didn’t understand the dangers of the sea, and saw near-drowning as entertainment rather than emergency. This revelation highlighted the urgent need for water safety education in the community.
The Birth of Project Sunwave
From that urgent moment, Project Sunwave was born- growing rapidly into a community-driven initiative focused on water safety, swimming skills, and youth empowerment in a town facing deep economic hardship but rich in natural beauty and untapped potential.
A Life-Changing Moment
As a small, under-resourced fishing town on South Africa’s West Coast, Lambert’s Bay became the heart of Project Sunwave after a life-changing moment in late 2024- when our founder Chiara Vorster and her mom pulled a young boy from the ocean just in time, after other children had thrown him in as a joke.
Realisation of Urgent Needs
They quickly realised that most kids couldn’t swim, didn’t understand the dangers of the sea, and saw near-drowning as entertainment rather than emergency. This revelation highlighted the urgent need for water safety education in the community.
The Birth of Project Sunwave
From that urgent moment, Project Sunwave was born- growing rapidly into a community-driven initiative focused on water safety, swimming skills, and youth empowerment in a town facing deep economic hardship but rich in natural beauty and untapped potential.
Guiding Principles
(PSW — 03)
©2025
Our Vision
A world where every young person- regardless of place or background- has the opportunity and support to thrive, mentally, emotionally, and economically
Our Mission
Project Sunwave empowers youth in under-resourced coastal communities by fostering mental wellbeing, life skills, and opportunity through ocean connection, education, and personal development.
Long Term
We work to help youth complete secondary education, improve their mental wellbeing, and build essential life and technical skills through structured ocean therapy, literacy, and development programs. Over time, this increases employability, household income stability, and reduced social risk behavior, contributing to stronger intergenerational aspirations and community-led economic revitalisation.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
We aim to equip youth with skills for employment and economic independence (UN SDG 1)
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
We aim to equip youth with skills for employment and economic independence (UN SDG 1)
Enhancing Educational Opportunities
We support youth to achieve higher matriculation rates, increasing educational opportunities and career potential (UN SDG 4)
Enhancing Educational Opportunities
We support youth to achieve higher matriculation rates, increasing educational opportunities and career potential (UN SDG 4)
Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency
We work for youth to acquire skills that lead to economic self-sufficiency (UN SDG 8)
Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency
We work for youth to acquire skills that lead to economic self-sufficiency (UN SDG 8)
Ocean-Based Career Pathways
We support youth employment in ocean-based careers, contributing to the eco-tourism sector (UN SDG 14 & UN SDG 8)
Ocean-Based Career Pathways
We support youth employment in ocean-based careers, contributing to the eco-tourism sector (UN SDG 14 & UN SDG 8)
Promoting Environmental Stewardship
We promote sustainable environmental practices, ensuring youth become ocean stewards (UN SDG 13 & UN SDG 14)
Promoting Environmental Stewardship
We promote sustainable environmental practices, ensuring youth become ocean stewards (UN SDG 13 & UN SDG 14)
Waves of Inequality
(PSW — 05)
©2025
The fact there were no local kids surfing before
represents the extreme inequality the community face everyday.
... In the heart of South Africa's Western Cape
Lambert's Bay faces significant socioeconomic hardships, with a small, struggling economy and a community burdened by limited opportunities and resources.
Although being a town surrounded by ocean
more than 85% of children do not know how to swim despite the fact that many families depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
Knowing that this is a reality
in the majority of rural coastal areas, and in an effort to support these kids, Chiara teamed up with health and surf professionals, social workers and activists to develop a theory of change that will be reviewed annually and adjusted whenever there is new evidence.
Strategic Focus
(PSW — 05)
©2025
Project Sunwave's Theory of Change
Project Sunwave's Theory of Change
Project Sunwave’s Theory of Change (ToC) provides a conceptual framework within which all our work is grounded. It outlines the highest-level impact and key outcomes we aim to achieve. It is built on the understanding that lasting change is driven by mutually reinforcing and iterative activities that activate multiple levers of change: ultimately creating ripple effects that lead to more positive outcome for youth and their communities.
Our Team
(PSW — 06)
©2025
Our Team
(PSW — 06)
©2025
Team PSW
Chiara Vorster
Founder
Elmari Renecle
Director
Wilhemina Ncefa
Director
Adrienne Vorster
Head of Finance & Operations
Rochele Le Roux
Head of Surf Therapy
Stone & Associates
Legal Representative
FAQ
01
What does your organisation do?
02
What is 'Ocean Therapy'?
03
How can I get involved?
04
How are donations used?
05
How do we measure success?
06
Is my donation tax-deductible?
07
Can I support you from anywhere in the world?
Get In Touch
(PSW — 07)
©2025
We'd love to
hear from you
Reach out! We will get back to you as soon as possible
About Us*
Empowering Youth & Fighting Inequality
Our Story: The Heart of Project Sunwave
A Life-Changing Moment
As a small, under-resourced fishing town on South Africa’s West Coast, Lambert’s Bay became the heart of Project Sunwave after a life-changing moment in late 2024- when our founder Chiara Vorster and her mom pulled a young boy from the ocean just in time, after other children had thrown him in as a joke.
Realisation of Urgent Needs
They quickly realised that most kids couldn’t swim, didn’t understand the dangers of the sea, and saw near-drowning as entertainment rather than emergency. This revelation highlighted the urgent need for water safety education in the community.
The Birth of Project Sunwave
From that urgent moment, Project Sunwave was born- growing rapidly into a community-driven initiative focused on water safety, swimming skills, and youth empowerment in a town facing deep economic hardship but rich in natural beauty and untapped potential.
Guiding Principles
©2025
Our Vision
A world where every young person- regardless of place or background- has the opportunity and support to thrive, mentally, emotionally, and economically
Our Mission
Project Sunwave empowers youth in under-resourced coastal communities by fostering mental wellbeing, life skills, and opportunity through ocean connection, education, and personal development.
Long Term
We work to help youth complete secondary education, improve their mental wellbeing, and build essential life and technical skills through structured ocean therapy, literacy, and development programs. Over time, this increases employability, household income stability, and reduced social risk behavior, contributing to stronger intergenerational aspirations and community-led economic revitalisation.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Equipping youth with skills for employment and economic independence (SDG Alignment: Goal 1)
Enhancing Educational Opportunities
Higher matriculation rates, increasing educational opportunities and career potential (SDG Alignment: Goal 4)
Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency
Youth acquire skills that lead to economic self-sufficiency (SDG Alignment: Goal 8)
Ocean-Based Career Pathways
Youth employment in ocean-based careers, contributing to the eco-tourism sector (SDG Alignment: Goal 14 & Goal 8)
Promoting Environmental Stewardship
Sustainable environmental practices, ensuring youth become ocean stewards (SDG Alignment: Goal 13 & Goal 14)
Waves of Inequality
©2025
The fact there were no local kids surfing before
represents the extreme inequality the community face everyday.
... In the heart of South Africa's Western Cape
Lambert's Bay faces significant socioeconomic hardships, with a small, struggling economy and a community burdened by limited opportunities and resources.
Although being a town surrounded by ocean
more than 85% of children do not know how to swim despite the fact that many families depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
Knowing that this is a reality
in the majority of rural coastal areas, and in an effort to support these kids, Chiara teamed up with health and surf professionals, social workers and activists to develop a theory of change that will be reviewed annually and adjusted whenever there is new evidence.
Strategic Focus
©2025
Project Sunwave's Theory of Change
Project Sunwave’s Theory of Change (ToC) provides a conceptual framework within which all our work is grounded. It outlines the highest-level impact and key outcomes we aim to achieve. It is built on the understanding that lasting change is driven by mutually reinforcing and iterative activities that activate multiple levers of change: ultimately creating ripple effects that lead to more positive outcome for youth and their communities.
Our Team
©2025
Team PSW
Chiara Vorster
Founder
Elmari Renecle
Director
Wilhemina Ncefa
Director
Adrienne Vorster
Head of Finance & Operations
Rochele Le Roux
Head of Surf Therapy
Stone & Associates
Legal Representative
FAQ
What does your organisation do?
What is 'Ocean Therapy'?
How can I get involved?
How are donations used?
How do we measure success?
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Can I support you from anywhere in the world?
Get In Touch
©2025
We'd love to
hear from you
Reach out! We will get back to you as soon as possible
About Us*
Empowering Youth & Fighting Inequality
Our Story: The Heart of Project Sunwave
A Life-Changing Moment
As a small, under-resourced fishing town on South Africa’s West Coast, Lambert’s Bay became the heart of Project Sunwave after a life-changing moment in late 2024- when our founder Chiara Vorster and her mom pulled a young boy from the ocean just in time, after other children had thrown him in as a joke.
Realisation of Urgent Needs
They quickly realised that most kids couldn’t swim, didn’t understand the dangers of the sea, and saw near-drowning as entertainment rather than emergency. This revelation highlighted the urgent need for water safety education in the community.
The Birth of Project Sunwave
From that urgent moment, Project Sunwave was born- growing rapidly into a community-driven initiative focused on water safety, swimming skills, and youth empowerment in a town facing deep economic hardship but rich in natural beauty and untapped potential.
Guiding Principles
(PSW — 03)
©2025
Our Vision
A world where every young person- regardless of place or background- has the opportunity and support to thrive, mentally, emotionally, and economically
Our Mission
Project Sunwave empowers youth in under-resourced coastal communities by fostering mental wellbeing, life skills, and opportunity through ocean connection, education, and personal development.
Long Term
We work to help youth complete secondary education, improve their mental wellbeing, and build essential life and technical skills through structured ocean therapy, literacy, and development programs. Over time, this increases employability, household income stability, and reduced social risk behavior, contributing to stronger intergenerational aspirations and community-led economic revitalisation.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
We aim to equip youth with skills for employment and economic independence (UN SDG 1)
Enhancing Educational Opportunities
We support youth to achieve higher matriculation rates, increasing educational opportunities and career potential (UN SDG 4)
Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency
We work for youth to acquire skills that lead to economic self-sufficiency (UN SDG 8)
Ocean-Based Career Pathways
We support youth employment in ocean-based careers, contributing to the eco-tourism sector (UN SDG 14 & UN SDG 8)
Promoting Environmental Stewardship
We promote sustainable environmental practices, ensuring youth become ocean stewards (UN SDG 13 & UN SDG 14)
Waves of Inequality
(PSW — 05)
©2025
The fact there were no local kids surfing before
represents the extreme inequality the community face everyday.
... In the heart of South Africa's Western Cape
Lambert's Bay faces significant socioeconomic hardships, with a small, struggling economy and a community burdened by limited opportunities and resources.
Although being a town surrounded by ocean
more than 85% of children do not know how to swim despite the fact that many families depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
Knowing that this is a reality
in the majority of rural coastal areas, and in an effort to support these kids, Chiara teamed up with health and surf professionals, social workers and activists to develop a theory of change that will be reviewed annually and adjusted whenever there is new evidence.
Strategic Focus
(PSW — 05)
©2025
Project Sunwave's Theory of Change
Project Sunwave’s Theory of Change (ToC) provides a conceptual framework within which all our work is grounded. It outlines the highest-level impact and key outcomes we aim to achieve. It is built on the understanding that lasting change is driven by mutually reinforcing and iterative activities that activate multiple levers of change: ultimately creating ripple effects that lead to more positive outcome for youth and their communities.
Our Team
(PSW — 06)
©2025
Team PSW
Chiara Vorster
Founder
Elmari Renecle
Director
Wilhemina Ncefa
Director
Adrienne Vorster
Head of Finance & Operations
Rochele Le Roux
Head of Surf Therapy
Stone & Associates
Legal Representative
FAQ
01
What does your organisation do?
02
What is 'Ocean Therapy'?
03
How can I get involved?
04
How are donations used?
05
How do we measure success?
06
Is my donation tax-deductible?
07
Can I support you from anywhere in the world?
Get In Touch
(PSW — 07)
©2025
We'd love to
hear from you
Reach out! We will get back to you as soon as possible