Our Story
Salt and Light Early Childhood Development Centre proudly opened its doors in 2023, born from the vision and faith of Louise Ferreira and her daughters, Frieda van der Post and Leona Vermeulen. United by purpose and a deep love for their community, these three women transformed a dream into a tangible legacy.
Rooted in the farming community of Hopetown for generations, they understand that true inheritance goes beyond land or wealth. As second and third-generation members of this close-knit region, they believe the greatest gift to the next generation is one of service—planting seeds of hope and opportunity for the future.
Salt and Light ECD found its home in the beautifully restored Andrew Carnegie Building, originally built in 1909 as a library. Once in disrepair, this historic landmark has been lovingly revitalized, symbolizing a new chapter for Hopetown—one where heritage meets hope.
Each woman brought her own passion and purpose to the launch of Salt and Light, the first phase of our broader non-profit initiative, Salt and Light – Hub for Hope. Their hearts for service and their hands-on dedication have laid a foundation for lasting impact in the lives of children and families across the community.
"In South Africa, we need each other. Today more than ever. I love spending time with different people of different cultures - to get to know and understand them.
For years I was invested in the local township. One day I asked the Lord, "How do I make a sustainable difference in these people's lives?" That is where my journey with education started.
It began with the preschool "Lighthouse", which closed it doors due to Covid. I knew there would be another school, but I didn't know how!
Then Standard Bank and GWK came.
It was a dream come true, and here we are.
We live in a country with a lot of disappointments, but we have the most amazing human capital; we cannot let it go to waste! God has something better in mind... He dreams about much more!
Bring your five pieces of bread and two fishes - and see what God can do!"
- Louise Ferreira
Frieda & Chris van der Post, Leona & Okkie Vermeulen, Louise & Leon Ferreira
"We have been homeschooling our children for six years, so we keep education close to our hearts. When we started building Salt & Light in 2023, it was stage 6 load-shedding and we experienced a heat wave. We couldn't keep up with the water supply and the farmlands were hanging by a thread.
I couldn't wrap my head around how we were going to do it in such a hard time. "Why now, Lord?"
Bill Wilson said, "The need is the call." I realised the need is so big in our beautiful country.
I believe Salt & Light will step in between the living and the dead, and that these children will live the life God called them for - a life in abundance!
The children that pass through these classrooms will go out into the world, and be the salt of the earth and light to the world as in Matthew 5."
- Leona Vermeulen
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” These words have left a deep impression on me. As parents, we firmly believe in protecting our children's vulnerability. When raising and homeschooling our children, we ensure that they receive education that nurtures both their minds and hearts.
The environment or atmosphere in which you learn is crucial to your observation and belief of who God really is, regardless of what it is you're learning. You were born a scientist and a genius, created to explore and discover all that is around you. Most importantly, you were created to discover your true self in Christ.
Education is the space in which the joy of the knowledge of God is fostered, to get an understanding of what God is really like. True education creates a love and a lifestyle of love for learning. If we are in awe of what God created, we are in awe of Him."
- Frieda van der Post
