Our History

MylifE is a youth project, started and maintained by the youth, many of them former street children. This is one of the core differences between MylifE and the good works of other NGOs operating in the city. Out of frustration with the inadequate support services in place for Cape Town’s marginalized youth, Linzi Thomas, Founding Director of MylifE, joined with Clinton Osborn, Jane Surtees, Sifiso Jezile, and Wiseman Dinizulu to create the MylifE Project in 2002. Adopting a holistic approach, MylifE tackles all elements of its young peoples’ regeneration. Beginning with the physical and emotional healing of the youth, MylifE goes on to instil vital life skills, training and practical entrepreneurial experience.

Emotionally, socially and economically independent young people rise from the MylifE program. They become role models and mentors for the next intake, possessing self‐awareness and the business and work skills to provide themselves with a sustainable future. Over the past seven years MylifE has rehabilitated 105 previously marginalised and at risk youth. Some of these youth are now leaders for the MylifE Project and are working in the film, music, catering, sport and other industries.

Our years of experiential learning have taught us our guiding principles:

• A person who has survived and relinquished a destructive life is best able to motivate others out of the cycle and into rehabilitation. For this reason youth development is a key focus area of MylifE; 

• In order for effective rehabilitation to take place, young people must be taken out of the city and away from the cycle of destruction. There must be a complete rebirth into a world of trust, where self‐respect, self‐discipline and self‐worth are nurtured within a safe environment; 

• There must be emotional and physical healing for rehabilitation to be effective and sustainable. Out of a loving environment a new consciousness is born ‐ an emotional, physical and spiritual consciousness that gives birth to a new self‐awareness and self respect;

• A sense of pride derives from full participation and involvement in the creation of one's home and dedication to one's livelihood. Responsibility is borne out of ownership;
• Transformation does not come in the form of a meal or a few nights reprieve from the insanity. Transformation only comes through a holistic long‐term approach: being a part of an inclusive, nurturing environment with family and Ubuntu;

• MylifE does not believe in hand‐outs. Those who go through the programme become leaders and "Pay it Forward" to the next in‐take. They contribute to the continuous expansion of MylifE through finance, time, sharing of experience and mentorship; 

• Sustainability is the key to MylifE’s success. Community development must work towards achieving self‐sufficiency through enterprise development; 

• Understanding the ever‐changing dynamics of the cycle of destruction is imperative to achieving success.

 MylifE will remain open and flexible, always seeking improvements to the system and actively implementing and recording the process.