What began as a small Friday afternoon gathering of five children in Michelle May’s yard has grown, over two years, into a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) with a simple aim: to give children a safe space of love and acceptance.

May launched the programme on Friday 14 March 2024.

At the time, she had just five children and enough room at home to hold the sessions in her yard. But as word spread, more children wanted to join and the yard was soon not big enough.

Rather than turn anyone away, May kept finding ways to make it work.

“I don’t want to tell the kids, listen you guys, you can’t come because there’s no space,” she said.

One Friday afternoon, she gathered the group and suggested they try a nearby open field instead. They gave it a go for one session, but May quickly realised that would not last either.

“It’s going to get winter, and then it’s going to be windy and it’s gonna be cold and it’s gonna rain,” she thought to herself.

A school opens its doors

With no permanent home for the growing group, May approached Yellowwood Primary School. The principal, Donovan Senosi, was very supportive of what she was doing, and Olive Trees NPO now runs its Friday afternoon sessions on the school’s grounds, which gave the children a stable, sheltered space.

At first, May held sessions every Friday. Over time, she settled into a rhythm of every second Friday, with Sunday mornings at 11 o’clock added for Sunday school.

Fridays, Sundays and big topics

Friday sessions cover topics such as anti-bullying, inclusiveness, and positive and negative peer pressure.

Calendar events also play a big role. Child Protection Week, Heritage Day, and Valentine’s Day have all featured on the programme, and Mandela Day on 18 July is coming up next.

Two years in, the bonds formed are clear.

“I think we’ve become a small little family already, myself and the children,” May said. She is helped by her mother and by a senior community member.

Outings and excursions

Getting out is also part of what Olive Trees does. In June last year, May took the children to Wolfgat Nature Reserve. Between January and March this year, the group attended swimming lessons.

During the July school holidays this year, they plan to visit the Jewish Museum for the first time.

Registered and ready

May believes the organisation received its official NPO certificate in April last year.

Her goal, she says, is: “To create a safe space of love and acceptance for children.”

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