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Coach Theo Buttress "Gretel's Dad" is the founder of Bantwana College NPC, a nonprofit organization in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a former pastor and ex-professional soccer player, he felt called by God to serve his community. Coach Theo works to protect, uplift and empower young girls from some of the most disadvantaged communities in his city.
Since 2017, Bantwana college has provided over 500 girls- many of them orphans or from single-parent homes- with soccer training, life skills, mentorship and a safe place to grow and dream. He serves communities where young girls face daily exposure to gang violence, drug abuse, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy and hopelessness. His program gives them a reason to believe that their lives can be different, that their stories can have a brighter ending. He also ensures that the girls are provided with food after their games as many of them go home to no food.
Our Crisis: Everything Was Stolen
On Friday night, October 3rd, 2025, tragedy struck. The team's 14-seater Toyota Quantum, which he uses every day to safely transport the girls to and from soccer training, was stolen. Inside the van was 90% of their soccer equipment, valued at more than $15,000 -balls, kits, cones, goals, and uniforms - all gone overnight. While the van was insured, the equipment was not. This means they have nothing to train with and no safe way to transport the girls right now.
Why This Matters
Every day, transport and equipment allow the team to:
- Safely pick up and drop off young girls from dangerous areas
- Feed participants nutritious meals at every training session and match day- for many- the only reliable meal they receive.
- Provide basic healthcare products, toiletries and sanitary supplies so that no girl feels left behind
- Clothe the girls with soccer kits and, on occasion casual wear, to restore dignity and belonging
- Run soccer and life-skills programs that keep them off the streets
- Provide mentorship, structure and hope for a better future
Without these tools the entire program is on hold and for many of these girls, Bantwana is the only safe space they have.
How You Can Help
We are trying to raise money to:
- Replace the stolen soccer equipment
- Cover short-term transport costs while he awaits insurance on their van
- Replenish food, hygiene products and clothing supplies for the participants.
Every single dollar helps rebuild what was lost and every act of kindness brings hope back to the girls and their families.
Organiser
