Halli Trust Story

Halli Trust Story: 17 September 2010 I (Heidi Naude) have to start at the beginning with this story, as this is my life puzzle that fitted in to each other when I started Halli Trust at the age of 42. I studied food and clothing, worked in the catering industry, became a mother, did a few odd things from home and worked at a shop in Somerset Mall for almost 2 years before starting Halli Trust. At the shop I realized the effect a mascot has on kids when doing educational talks. I was also exposed to the community side of this shop and it just touched my heart in such a way that I just felt this is what I must do!!! My dad (Daan Meyer) passed away December 2008, my husband (Martin Naude) and I decided we are going to start a Trust to give back/pay if forward. We took some of my inheritance and we started planning for the trust. Surita Roux joined us immediately as this was what she wanted to do. She is a medical doctor and it’s great to have her on the team. She has knowledge of how an NPO works and Surita is dedicated to make Halli Trust a success. I am so thankful for Surita, for all her support. The name: I contacted Cheryl Hanekom, a friend, explained to her what we are planning to do and she looked up our name in the Greek/Hebrew translation Bible. Halli means unexpected gift and blessing, this was just super as we can also receive an unexpected gift and blessing and also when we help someone. Halli Trust started its baby steps… We had to decide on a mascot, after watching the movie Hachiko as a family. I said to my husband this is going to be our mascot. I loved the fact that an Akita Japanese dog is loyal. He just wants to be your friend and that was what I wanted this mascot to be like, build friendships with the children. I chose the face of a young Akita dog, just because it looked so cute. I still feel emotional when watching the movie after so many times of watching it. Halli was made by Louis Niemand in Monte Vista, Cape Town and he looked absolutely super awesome!!! Halli our Mascot is a cool, teenage dude and a very loyal friend. We have a creed what we teach the children: “FRIENDS FOREVER HALLI”. My car is full of paw print because we want children to feel they can build a relationship with us and trust us to talk about hurt in their lives. It’s official: We showed Halli to the world on 17 September 2010 at Somerset West Primary. (The 17th will also always be Halli’s BDay!) What a day, we were excited, proud and filled with a warmness in our hearts, because if it wasn’t for my inheritance this wasn’t possible!!! We registered the trust for Educational and Community Involvement. Surita’s passion to help animals started as a little flame and now she’s making such a difference with the animals. We registered in February 2014 the Rehabilitation and Caring of Animals as the third function of Halli Trust. We also make Gloria Hunguna a trustee member and Halli Trust Community Representative, as a family they are making such a difference in their community and really lead by example. We want all trustee members to live out their passion and make a difference through what matters the most to them. Gloria was my domestic worker for almost 10 years and she started studying for a teacher in Jan 2015. We are very proud of her and know she is going to be an excellent teacher. Gloria is responsible for the Halli Trust Stores. We also have Halli Trust Representatives working in different areas of the Helderberg.