The All Heart Fund is inspired by the heart and spirit of Leanna Knopik, a young lady who touched many lives.
ABOUT LEANNA KNOPIK
“I want to volunteer in Africa. I’ve never been so sure of something in my whole life.” – Excerpt from Leanna’s diary.
Leanna’s time on Earth was brief. At the age of 16, she passed away suddenly after contracting a rare heart infection. Despite her lost battle, she fought exceptionally hard during her final days, surprising even her physicians.
But Leanna’s heart always guided her path in life. She was very passionate about her faith and loved helping others throughout her community and beyond. A family trip to South Africa was a life-changing experience for her. She felt a sincere connection to the South African people and wanted to work as a missionary, helping children in schools and orphanages.
Leanna’s loving friends and family often remember her as “all heart.”
THE ALL HEART FUND
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- Leanna’s art was inspiration for the logo
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- The Leanna Knopik Cup awarded to students or GWF staff who are “all heart”
Leanna never had the chance to volunteer in Africa, so in the spirit of her heart’s wishes, the All Heart Fund has been created to provide the resources and education necessary to enhance the lives of rural African families.
The All Heart Fund (AHF) is a fundraising arm of the award-winning South African-based non-profit, Good Work Foundation (GWF). Its purpose is to raise funds that create high-impact digital learning experiences for Africans living in rural areas, delivering skills that enable them to interact meaningfully with a digital world.
GWF operates six digital learning campuses in rural South Africa to date – including the Justicia Digital Learning Campus which was funded in large part by the AHF – and provides digital and English literacy training to over 7000 adults and children per week.
The AHF also creates opportunities for students to travel to larger communities and cities for unique educational and leadership experiences and to connect with real-life businesses. In addition, one special student is chosen to receive the Leanna Knopik Cup, an annual award which honors the student who demonstrates the biggest “heart”.
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- The Knopik family, Steve, Rogers and Beth, with Zola Myakayaka handing out the award in 2019
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- The winners of the All Heart Fund Leanna Knopik Cup 2019, the All Heart Fund family, Kate and Maya Groch, and Dave Varty
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- Beth and Steve Knopik, and Marcia cutting the pink ribbon and declaring the latest GWF campus in the Dumphries Village officially open
SAFARI SARASOTA
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- Kate Groch, Teri Klauber, Anna Ridgewell, and Michael Klauber
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- Steve & Beth Knopik, Michael & Teri Klauber at Safari Sarasota 2017 with guests
Safari Sarasota is a three-day, five-event experience inspired by Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club travels, the passion to support digital learning in rural areas of South Africa, and to honor a special legacy, Leanna Knopik. Safari Sarasota events benefit the AHF. It was Leanna’s dream to support children and education in the rural areas of SA. Over the last two years, the AHF in partnership with the Good Work Foundation has been able to provide digital literacy access to over 1,500 South Africa School children per week.
Former and current Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club travellers, past Safari Sarasota attendees, local residents who are interested in philanthropy, along with guests who want to learn more about the food and wine culture of South Africa, will join together at these events for a very important cause.
TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE ALL HEART FUND
To make donation to the All Heart Fund in memory of Leanna, select “In memory of…” on our donation page.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GOOD WORK FOUNDATION
To find out more about Good Work Foundation’s mission to improve digital literacy in rural African areas, watch this short video explaining the unique digital learning campus model. You can also stay up-to-date on GWF’s progress on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Visit Our Stories page for regular updates from All Heart Fund like this one where we share what it takes to be “all heart” and share the story of the latest winners of the All Heart Fund Leanna Knopik Cup.
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- Schoolchildren attend the Open Learning Academy at Justicia Digital Learning Campus (JDLC). The campus, funded in large part by the All Heart Fund, was opened in March 2016. Children from six rural schools benefit from the digital learning opportunities that the campus provides. An additional 60 young adults from Justicia village are enrolled in a one-year “work-ready” course, equipping them with the skills necessary to participate in the digital marketplace.
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- Paris Moeng is one of three recipients of the Leanna Knopik Cup 2015. Having never used a computer before, Paris surprised the Hazyview Digital Learning Campus team by completing his Bridging Academy year in record time. Paris is now a qualified IT Support Engineer. Working from the campus where he studied, Paris provides IT support to employees from three major South African companies. A reality for Paris is that he is the sole caregiver for his infirm grandmother and moving to Johannesburg or another major urban center in search of learning or working would not have been possible. Paris always reminds us to think back to Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s question: “Who is looking after our young people?” Our young people shouldn’t have to urbanize. Paris certainly didn’t have the option, but that hasn’t stopped him!
