Jeanine Roux

What does your company do?

At the Khula Learning Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a space where they are seen, supported, and celebrated — regardless of their learning style, diagnosis, or background. Our organisation provides specialised education and early intervention for children with developmental delays, autism, genetic syndromes, and learning differences — many of whom are excluded from mainstream early childhood development (ECD) and schooling environments. We operate in rural and semi-urban areas where specialised support is rare, and the need is great. Since opening in Bredasdorp in 2020, Khula has grown from a single remedial classroom into a dynamic network of inclusive learning centres. In 2022, we launched Khula Kinders, our preschool programme for children aged 2–6 requiring structured, sensory-friendly education. In 2024, we franchised our model to Swellendam, and in 2026, we will open The Coral Tree Playschool in Gqeberha — our most ambitious project yet, focused on therapeutic ECD for neurodivergent children. To date, we have served over 130 learners with additional needs, employed 15+ staff, and partnered with therapists, parents, and local organisations to build wraparound support. Our children make measurable progress in language, social-emotional regulation, school readiness, and motor development — with over 80% achieving their individualised developmental goals within 12 months. What makes us unique is that we actively fill a gap in the South African education system. The vast majority of children with disabilities or learning differences — especially in under-resourced areas — are either kept at home, placed in environments that do not meet their needs, or pushed to the margins of mainstream schools. Khula exists to change that. We are committed to giving these children a joyful, dignified start to their education and to advocating for inclusive, child-centred learning models at every level. Through kindness, creativity, and consistent care, we’re helping children and families rewrite the story of what’s possible — and proving every day that it’s Khula to be kind.

What is your biggest success?

Success, for me, isn’t measured by big milestones — it’s in the small, deeply human moments. Like watching a non-verbal child say their first word, or seeing a little one with sensory difficulties try a new food for the first time. It’s the parent who says, “I feel like someone finally sees my child,” or the teacher who gains the confidence to adapt her classroom for a learner who thinks differently. These moments are quiet but powerful. They remind me that we’re not just running a school — we’re building a place where children are understood, celebrated, and gently stretched to become their full selves. That, to me, is the greatest achievement: creating a space where love, growth and possibility coexist.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

The biggest challenge has been securing consistent funding to support our growth while ensuring that no child is turned away due to financial constraints. As the founder and managing director, I wear many hats — from teaching and fundraising to sweeping floors and writing grant proposals late into the night. Balancing the daily demands of running an inclusive centre with the long-term vision of expanding access to quality early intervention has been both exhausting and rewarding. There’s a constant tension between doing the work and finding the resources to sustain it. But every time we welcome a new child whose parents thought they had no options, I’m reminded why it’s worth pushing through the hard parts.