Strategic Partnerships
We believe in the power of strategic partnerships. For us that means deep and enduring relationships resulting in greatly enhanced impact for all concerned.
Here are are current, active partnerships.
St Mary's Church, Chesham, (Church of England) is a thriving parish church in the ancient market town of Chesham, in the leafy Chiltern Hills, not far from London, UK. The congregation has supported Root and Branch Change since it was just an idea, getting stuck into the work, quite literally with sleeves rolled up. Almost 100 members, from 15 years up to mid-70s have visited our key location in South Africa, not as tourists but as builders, landscapers, intercessors, advisors, evangelists and activists in the fight against poverty and injustice. And, the benefits have not just flowed to the south! Dozens of lives have been radically refocussed on global challenges and how Christians can be part of the change process wherever they are.
The Thoughtful Path Munsieville is a radical non-governmental organisation, started in 2010 in Munsieville township, near Johannesburg. We share the same humanitarian DNA, which is unsurprising because its pioneering work, primarily focussed on seriously disadvantaged children and teenagers, was developed by people closely connected with Root and Branch Change. We love the no-nonsense, never-take-no-for-an-answer approach of the The Thoughtful Path and its current leaders and work in the closest-possible cooperation with them. They are deeply embedded in the township community, and Hope Park, their extensive, multi-purpose children's health campus now serves as a base for our work, alongside their many other committed stakeholders.
Real Life Church (Assemblies of God) is located in Krugersdorp, near Johannesburg, within walking distance of our base in Munsieville. They planted some of the first seeds of change in Munsieville way back when The Thoughtful Path Munsieville was first established, and they've been close and inspirational allies since Root and Branch Change was launched. RLC is a fast-growing, vibrant and outward-looking community of deeply committed Christians and their connection with us runs deep. There are already many members of RLC who live in Munsieville, and they have a passion for making a lasting impact "beyond there walls". This means financial and material support,, help with feeding hundreds of hungry children and, more recently, taking a spiritual nurturing lead in "The Filling Station" - where men of Munsieville go to get fuelled up to make a difference in their community.
The focus of our charitable work is children, young people and families in South Africa, but our UK base is in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. We are committed to our neighbours in Chesham and the surrounding area as well as those on the other side of the world. In fact, we do all we can to connect the two. The House of Tree is located in Chesham and is an exciting Christian initiative to support the local community through the arts and also an emerging community garden situated in the rolling landscape of the Chiltern Hills. Our long-term friends at the The House of Tree invited us to re-site our thriving Charity Plant Nursery on their land, and we are now taking a lead in working with local volunteers to transform the extensive site. There is a growing community orchard, the start of a micro lavender farm, flower gardens, all part of a beautiful, therapeutic space to boost well-being and encounter the living God.