The Maletsatsi Foundation shares a personal account from its founder, revealing the physical, emotional and financial toll of carrying a non-profit through an exhausting season.
South Africa (29 January 2026) – There are moments behind the scenes of community work that don’t make it into highlights. It’s moments where exhaustion catches up, and the emotional cost of caring becomes impossible to ignore.
The Maletsatsi Foundation has shared a deeply personal story from its founder, Tiffini Hein.
After months of pushing through, the physical and emotional toll has begun to surface. What was once brushed off as “manageable” has caught up in a very real way. By illness and the quiet realisation that even the strongest caregivers have limits, and in recent days, Tiffini’s body has quite simply reached its limit.
Even with brief help from a night nurse, the reality hit hard. The belief that she could manage everything on her own. Parenting leadership, emotional labour and financial pressure. The result was a day marked by severe illness, physical depletion and the emotional toll that comes with having to cancel plans with her children yet again.
Beyond the physical exhaustion sits a deeper strain. Tiffini speaks openly about the guilt of feeling stretched too thin, the frustration of not being fully present for her children, and the weight of knowing that, in a matter of days, personal savings will once again be used to ensure salaries are paid, and essential bills are covered.
“My kids feel like they’re not getting enough of me. I have no real respite at the moment (temporary my long-suffering husband will be back), but right now the weight of daily life feels all consuming.”
It is a moment of honesty from someone who has always given relentlessly.
The Maletsatsi Foundation chose to share Tiffini’s story to show the reality behind the work: that organisations like theirs are often held together by individuals who continue showing up, even when they are exhausted, unwell and running on very little support.
Her experience reflects that caring for others does not make one immune to burnout.
While Tiffini is confident this season will pass, she has reached a point where support is needed to get through it. Any assistance goes directly toward keeping the foundation operational, ensuring the babies in their care are supported, and easing the immediate financial pressure that currently rests on her shoulders.
In the most recent post, Tiffany shares that she is still here, still moving forward.
Those who wish to support Tiffini and the work she continues to carry through the Maletsatsi Foundation can do so via the details below:
- The Maletsatsi Foundation NPC
- Bank: FNB
- Account Type: Cheque
- Account Number: 628 6588 1314
- Branch Code: 210835
- Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
- Reference: Your name
Sources: The Maletsatsi Foundation
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