In her hopes to help raise a generation that knows how to feel and to lead with empathy, KC Lowther has turned her own personal struggles with grief into a heartfelt mission to provide emotional-literacy tools to children across the country.
Johannesburg, South Africa (23 October 2025) – As the world prepares to slowly shift from Mental Health Awareness Month into Children’s Month, Heartwood Tales is calling for a vital next step in South Africa’s mental-health conversation: prevention.
Founded by youth changemaker and storyteller KC Lowther, the mission is to ensure that every child in South Africa has access to emotional-literacy tools that help them understand and manage their emotions before they face crisis.
For KC, this work is deeply personal. After losing her brother and later experiencing anxiety and panic disorders herself, she recognised how few children are ever taught what to do with big emotions.
“I took that need and created a world of characters where children can relate, see themselves, and learn that big feelings are okay. Through stories, we’re helping grow the emotionally resilient leaders of tomorrow,” says Lowther.
From that vision came Heartwood Tales. This is a storybook series and emotional-literacy programme that uses creative storytelling to teach values like Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Patience, and Self-Control.
This upcoming Children’s Month, KC looks forward to launching a national campaign that will:
- Place 200 Emotional-Intelligence (EQ) Kits into under-resourced schools
- Train teachers and parents to support emotional learning in the classroom and at home
- Celebrate emotional well-being through national community events
Heartwood also looks forward to rolling out several key initiatives this November, including the Heartwood Tree of Hope. This will allow children across the country to share their dreams and messages on rainbow “leaves,” tied to Tree of Hope installations in schools and malls – symbolising that every child’s voice matters.
The Corporate Challenge will invite businesses to sponsor EQ Kits (R1,500 per kit) and challenge others to match or beat their pledge, thereby investing directly in South Africa’s emotional future.
Lastly, the Once Upon a Quiz Night is a storybook-themed fundraiser which will celebrate connection, creativity, and compassion – raising funds to bring EQ resources to more schools.
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Why Emotional Literacy Matters
- 1 in 5 South African children show signs of emotional distress before age 10.
- Early emotional education builds empathy, focus, and resilience – reducing the risk of mental-health challenges later in life.
- Most schools still lack access to practical EQ tools or teacher training.
“If we start early, we can raise a generation that knows how to feel, to care, and to lead with empathy,” says Lowther.
Sources: Supplied
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