Hello everyone, I'm Rosie, Project Manager at Roland Berger's Amsterdam office. I have always had a strong motivation to make a meaningful impact and contribute to positive change. That is why I eagerly applied for the Roland Berger Social Fellowship Program, as it aligns with my passion for making a difference in people's lives and communities. At the beginning of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to work with the non-profit organization, Little Lions Child Coaching, in Cape Town, South Africa.

The heart of Little Lions

Little Lions Child Coaching is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing psychological support to children from deprived areas and training local talents through mental health workshops. Based in Cape Town, Little Lions focuses on teaching boys and girls between 8 and 13 years of age how to understand their emotions, build resilience, and talk openly about their feelings. This is achieved through weekly mental health sessions conducted by young, local role models educated and employed by the Little Lions Academy.

The vision of Little Lions is profound: "Normalize mental health conversations and empower the next generation to tap into their emotional resilience so they can shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities."

My role and experience

Throughout my fellowship, I had the privilege of working closely with an inspiring team of coaches and the founder of the organization himself. The supportive and open environment was one of the aspects I loved most. Working for a mental health organization meant that we regularly checked in with each other, asking, "What is challenging you at the moment?" and "What is currently inspiring you?" This practice not only fostered team spirit but also built real connections among us.

Strategic planning for future growth

My primary focus was on helping Little Lions develop and implement their growth strategy for 2024-2026. I supported the development of their refined mission and vision statements, ensuring they align with the organization's long-term goals. Additionally, we organized several workshops and a strategy day to help the team set SMART goals. Furthermore, the collaborative effort resulted in a detailed roadmap for the coming years, providing a clear path for sustainable growth and enhanced impact. The strategy days have now become a regular fixture in their quarterly calendars!

Their ambitious goals include education and employment of 4+ more coaches per year and more than double the number of empowered children. They also aim to increase the impact of their workshops and provide more ways of normalizing mental health conversations through their Academy, where they aim to train 40+ local role models per year. Most importantly, they aspire to build robust business processes that will ensure sustainable growth and enable the organization to thrive independently of its founders.

What truly captivated me about Little Lions was the intrinsic motivation and drive of the mental health coaches. They are deeply dedicated to making a positive impact. Beyond providing essential mental health support, they create additional value for the community by fostering resilience, promoting well-being, and offering tools for personal growth. Their commitment extends far beyond their primary roles, as they work tirelessly to empower individuals and build a stronger, healthier society.

Reflections and gratitude

My time with Little Lions has been an eye-opening and fulfilling experience. I gained valuable insights into the mental health sector and witnessed the profound impact of empowering children and communities through education and emotional support. I am incredibly grateful for the trust and support I received and the fact that I was given this remarkable opportunity to give something back to society.

Working with Little Lions has reinforced my belief in the power of social responsibility and the importance of mental health education. I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of Little Lions and remain committed to supporting their mission in any way I can. Thank you, Little Lions, for the incredible journey and the opportunity to be part of such meaningful work.