HANKEY – This month, Thárros Family Centre in Hankey celebrates ten years of serving children and families in the Kouga community, marking a decade during which much has changed since the organisation was established in 2016, but its commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment has remained constant.
Thárros, meaning “courage” in Greek, was founded by Taise Sampson with the vision of providing a loving home for vulnerable children.
Sampson said in 2017 they opened their Child and Youth Care Centre, offering residential care to children who could no longer safely remain with their families.
She said over the following years, more than 100 children have found stability, care, and hope within Thárros’ walls.
However, Sampson said, like many organisations, Thárros has faced significant challenges.
She said the COVID-19 pandemic placed enormous pressure on the non-profit sector, and in 2021 a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the children’s home.
“Although the building was restored, the financial realities facing residential childcare became increasingly difficult. At the end of 2023, we made the difficult decision to close our Child and Youth Care Centre,” said Sampson.
While this marked the end of one chapter, it also became the beginning of another.
Sampson said through years of working closely with vulnerable children, they came to realise that lasting change begins long before a child enters residential care, and that families need support.
She said parents and caregivers need encouragement, and children need safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and develop resilience before crises occur.
Sampson said this understanding led Thárros to evolve from a residential care organisation into a community-based family centre focused on prevention, education, and strengthening families.
“Today, Thárros delivers a range of programmes that reach hundreds of children and families each year,” said Sampson.
She said their Homework Support programme provides learners with academic assistance and encouragement after school, while the Protective Behaviours programme equips primary school children with practical skills to recognise unsafe situations, build confidence, and seek help.
Sampson added that the Family Focus programme creates opportunities for parents, caregivers, grandparents, and other family members to engage in discussions around health, wellbeing, and strengthening family life, while the Holiday Programmes continue to provide children with educational, creative and recreational activities during the school holidays.
In addition, she said the Family Focus programme reflects the evolution of Thárros.
“What began as our Mother2Mother programme has grown to recognise that raising healthy, resilient children is a shared responsibility. By involving the entire family, we are helping to build stronger support systems that allow children to thrive within their homes and communities,” said Sampson.
She said this shift has enabled Thárros to extend its impact far beyond the walls of a single building and into schools, clinics and communities across the Kouga region.
“Our purpose has never changed. We’ve simply changed the way we achieve it. We realised that by investing in families and equipping communities, we can help prevent many of the circumstances that place children at risk in the first place,” said Sampson.
As they look towards the future, she said they are excited about their next chapter.
Sampson said their vision is to transform the Thárros premises into a vibrant youth hub that is a safe and welcoming space where teenagers can gather after school, access educational resources, use computers and high-speed internet for schoolwork and career development, receive homework support, and simply enjoy spending time with friends in a positive environment.
She said they also hope to create a relaxed café-style space where young people can feel a genuine sense of belonging.
“For many teenagers in rural communities, there are few safe recreational spaces and limited access to technology, study resources, or positive mentoring opportunities. We want to bridge that gap by creating a place where young people are encouraged, supported and inspired to reach their full potential,” said Sampson.
Alongside this vision, she said Thárros will continue expanding its existing community programmes, strengthening partnerships with schools, government departments, businesses, and other organisations that share their commitment to building stronger families and safer communities. As they celebrate their tenth anniversary, Sampson said they are not simply reflecting on the past but also looking ahead with renewed purpose.
“The journey has evolved from providing a home for vulnerable children to building a community where families are strengthened, children are protected, and young people are empowered to create brighter futures,” said Sampson.
She said their motto, “Healthy families equal a healthy community,” has never been more relevant; it is the foundation on which they will continue building over the next decade.
Sampson also thanked every donor, volunteer, team member, trustee, partner and family who has walked this journey with them over the past 10 years.
“Their support has enabled Thárros to grow, adapt, and continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families throughout the Kouga region,” said Sampson.
For more information, contact Taise Sampson at 083 500 0910 or email info@tharros.co.za.
Also visit the organisation’s Facebook page on TharrosCYCC.
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