Cover story
Stories from the families we support
Three families tell us what changed: a new tailoring business, a son back in school after the floods and a harvest to sell.
By Isla Mensah · Jul 8, 2026
Education
How your donations built three new classrooms
Environment
Why we plant trees with the schools we build
More stories
Relief
Diego MoreauOct 7, 2026
What happens after a disaster appeal
The first 72 hours are about water and shelter. The next six months are about rebuilding homes, schools and livelihoods with local partners.
Diego MoreauOct 7, 2026
Health
Aria PatelJun 11, 2026
Meet the partners behind our water projects
Local committees choose the well sites, train repair teams and collect small fees that keep the pumps running for a decade.
Aria PatelJun 11, 2026
StoriesMia HughesApr 1, 2026
Stories from the families we support
Three families tell us what changed: a new tailoring business, a son back in school after the floods and a harvest to sell.
Mia HughesApr 1, 2026
Animals
Luna SatoMar 15, 2026
Inside the shelter: from rescue to new home
Every animal is vet-checked, vaccinated and cared for until the right family comes along. Last year, 860 found new homes.
Luna SatoMar 15, 2026
99%satisfaction
Why Lumen Co
Why give through Lumen Co
Ninety cents of every dollar reaches projects, and you see exactly what your gift achieved.
Secure giving
Card, bank and wallet payments are encrypted and processed by certified payment partners.
Tax receipts
Receive a tax receipt seconds after every gift, plus a yearly summary each January.
Local partners
We work through community organisations in 36 communities, led by people who live there.
Volunteer network
More than 1,400 volunteers sort food parcels, tutor children and walk shelter dogs every week.
Transparent reports
Our accounts are independently audited every year and published in full on this site.
Impact tracking
See photos, project updates and numbers from the exact project your gift funded.
By the numbers
Our impact so far
90%of every gift goes to projects
120clean water wells built
15years of work
210kpeople helped
Stories of change
Why our supporters give
In their own words, from first-time donors to volunteers who have joined us every Saturday for years.
I started with a single gift. Two years later I give every month.
Zoe RossiVolunteer coordinatorThe updates show exactly where my money goes. That transparency matters to me.
Hana NovakFirst-time donorI started with a single gift. Two years later I give every month.
Priya TanakaWeekend volunteerSeeing photos of the finished well brought me to tears.
Ava OkaforMonthly donor since 2019Easy to give, easy to understand, and the impact is real.
Maya QuinnFundraiser, city marathonA charity that treats its supporters like partners.
Leo NguyenCorporate partnerInsights
Visit the blog News from the field
Featured
Our yearly impact report, explained
We show where last year's money went, line by line: programmes, fundraising costs and the ten cents in every dollar that keep us running.
By Omar Lindqvist · Aug 4, 2026
FAQ
Before you donate or volunteer
Everything you need to know before you start.
How can I volunteer?
Sign up online and we will invite you to an introduction session.
Can my company get involved?
We offer matched giving, team volunteering days and partnerships.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, and you receive a receipt by email straight away.
Can I choose where my money goes?
Yes, you can give to a specific project or where the need is greatest.
How much of my donation goes to projects?
Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to our programmes.
Can I cancel a monthly gift?
Of course, at any time, with one click or one call.
Still have questions?Our team is happy to help.
Lumen Co21 Hillcrest Road, Cape Town
Contact
Talk to our supporter team
Change a monthly gift, request a receipt or ask about leaving a gift in your will.
Our work
Our programmes
Long-term work in water, education and food, plus fast help when disaster strikes.
Education fund
School kits, trained teachers and repaired classrooms for children who would otherwise miss out.
IncludedEnquire
Clean water
Wells built with villages and kept running by trained local committees for at least ten years.
IncludedEnquire
Food relief
Weekly food parcels and hot meals for families facing hunger, delivered through local food banks.
IncludedEnquire