#Niaha35 Campaign Over. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

Last night my Nisha 35 Campaign benefitting Breath of Life ended with a net amount of R102 581.70 . A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to my family, friends and even strangers who came together to make this happen.

BackABuddy will transfer the money to Breath of Life within the next week and Breath of Life will use the money for baby care essentials as well as to cover the operating expenses of the house – electricity, water, salaries, etc.

#Nisha35 Campaign Goal Surpassed. THANK YOU ALL!

“Many hands make light work.” -Unknown

As of this afternoon we’ve surpassed my #Nisha34 campaign benefitting Breath of Life, , a place of safety for abandoned babies here in East London, South Africa, the original goal was R35 000 and with 17 days to go till my birthday so far we’ve raised R35 019. I’m so thankful to everyone who has helped out…truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. The page remains open and accepting donations until March 27th  and anyone still wishing to make a donation can do so at https://backabuddy.co.za/nisha-35

#Nisha35 – Fundraising for Breath of Life in Honour of my 35th  Birthday

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Today, I once again started actively fundraising for Breath of Life — a place of safety here in East London, South Africa, that homes abandoned and vulnerable babies — because I continue to believe that every child deserves to start life on a level playing field.

This time, I’m aiming to raise R35 000 in honour of my upcoming 35th birthday (happening on March 25th) and my 35th year of life.

If you wish to donate, you can do so at www.backabuddy.co.za/nisha-35, and kindly share the campaign on social media using #Nisha35.

8 Years (and counting) at Breath of Life

“Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend.” — Diogenes

On January 20th 2018 I entered the Breath of Life house to drop of diapers and I sort of forgot to leave – 8 years, 145 babies, and one incredible Morgan later a lot has changed but my love for and commitment to the babies in that nursery is stronger than ever.

Thank you to Michelle Rielly who first welcomed me into the Breath of Life house, loved me and believed in me with me, thank you to Abigail Boshoff who continues to make me feel welcome in the Breath of Life house and thank you to our team of baby caregivers, staff and volunteers who love and look after our babies

Life’s Purposes and 2026 Goals

“The great danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” –Michelangelo

Today is New Year’s Day and with that comes new hopes, new opportunities and new goals. Check out my life’s purpose and 2026 Goals below:

My Life’s Purposes

  1. Fill the world with kindness and love
  2. Make a difference – level the playing field for people who were born with the cards stacked against them
  3. Change perceptions about differently-abled people

2026 Goals

  1. Continue to be kind, honest, grateful, loyal (to those who deserve it) and filled with wonderment
  2. Organize Morgan’s Breath of Life Birthday Party
  3. Visit Breath of Life as often as possible and make a monthly contribution
  4. Organize all the birthday cakes for the kids at Breath of Life this year (Update: Bought 8 with 2 remaining to be paid for)
  5. Raise R35 000+ for Breath of Life in honour of my birthday (Update: Raised R102 581.69)
  6. Buy 10-27 soft toys so that i have enough for every goodbye and birthday at Breath of Life for the year
  7. Call the twins weekly (when they have access to a phone) and take them on an outing at least twice this year
  8. Organize a birthday cake for the twins
  9. Buy groceries for the house at least four times a year
  10. Choose people who choose me and support friends who understand there’s a heart attached to the helping hand and prioritize the relationship – with time and effort (showing up in real-life)
  11. Enjoy Australia (if we go)
  12. Focus on wellness – continue to eat well, continue to get sunlight, continue to be grateful, start exercising, get regular dental cleanings, prioritize sleep
  13. Enjoy little things – create perfect moments daily
  14. Have more fun – maybe continue going to the beach, take a pottery class…something
  15. Read 12+ books
  16. Do 35+ good deeds

(Note: Updated April 11 2026)

My 2025 Life Purposes and Goals in Review

“Make measurable progress in reasonable time.” – Jim Rohn

As we near the end of 2025 it is again time to review the goals I set at the beginning of the year

My 2025 Life Purposes and Goals in Review

My Life’s Purposes

  1. Fill the world with kindness and love [did my best]
  2. Make a difference – level the playing field for people who were born with the cards stacked against them [did my best]
  3. Change perceptions about differently-abled people [did my best]

2025 Goals in Review

  1. Continue to be kind, honest, generous, grateful, loyal and filled with wonderment
  2. Every day be the best SuperSidekick to Superhero Catherine Constantinides (she’s the best, most hardworking real-life Superhero I’ve ever met she totally deserves me forever  and no matter what else I’m doing in life I will always be here for her)
  3. Maintain and strengthen my deep friendship with Michelle Rielly  
  4.  Raise at least R34 000 for Breath of Life 
  5. Become financially independent – earn more than enough to pay for my own medical aid and groceries ( Update: I bought groceries for the house once or twice this year – it’s a start )
  6. Have more fun – maybe take up art of some kind or simply going to the beach more often ( Update: I spent more time at the beach this year of which I’m proud)
  7. Focus on wellness – pray every day, have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun (Update: I need to work on regular prayer, sleep and exercise everything else is good )
  8. See Michelle Rielly in real-life again – I miss her lots
  9. Choose people who choose me – no more chasing people (Update: this is still a work in progress)
  10. Visit Paternoster (Update: the only chance to get there was in April during my brothers graduation but it was still an hour away so didn’t get there)
  11. Visit Europe – go to Paris and Rome – and go paragliding in Switzerland (Update: I made it to Rome – it was stunning)
  12. Go whale-watching with Southern Cross Cruises in October ( Update: I saw whales with Southern Cross Cruises on October 11th – it was awesome)
  13. Stay at Crawfords Beach Lodge (Update: after what we spent on Rome I didn’t have the heart to ask my family for a stay 40kms away but maybe next year)
  1. Read 24-48 books (Update: by December I was on book number 8)
  2. Do 34  or more good deeds – one of the deeds must be having one or more trees planted (Update 1: Visions of Change helped me plant 5 trees) (Update 2:I wasn’t counting my good deeds but I’m pretty sure I covered 34)

4 Things I’m Proud of in 2025

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.”
— Confucius

As I reflect on 2025, I’ve been thinking about the parts of the year that shaped me most. Here are the four things I’m proudest of:

1. I showed up at Breath of Life — and raised over R50 000.
I visited often, I stayed present, and I did the work from the heart. This remains one of the most meaningful parts of my year.

2. I significantly reduced my sugar intake.
Last year I had a KitKat almost every day; this year I was eating veggies for breakfast. A small change that made a big difference in how I feel.

3. I created more balance in my life.
In 2024 I was consumed by “impact at all costs.” This year, I learned you can still serve with intensity and go to the beach more. That balance is growth.

4. I finally made it to Italy and Spain.
I saw the Colosseum, the Vatican, and so many beautiful places — a dream made possible by my family who funded the trip. I’m still grateful

2025 in Cake – Thanks to Cakes and Sprinkles East London

Cakes by Cakes and Sprinkles East London for the kids at Breath of Life

The small things are the big things in disguise.

As I reflect on 2025, I find myself filled with gratitude to everyone but most especially to Cakes and Sprinkles East London who worked with me to create custom birthday cakes for the babies at Breath of Life .

Thank you Cakes and Sprinkles East London for infusing my love for each baby into a cake in the form of a story – you’re a small business that touched my soul in a big way, I’m eternally grateful for the magic you brought to Breath of Life this year. Thank you!!

Reflections of a Humanitarian on World Humanitarian Day

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others

On this World Humanitarian Day I reflect on the journey I’ve been on since I turned 18, first with international organizations and for the past 8 years with Breath of Life, none of it has been easy but all of it has been worth it. Thank you so much to each and everyone of you that has been on this journey with me -I am me BECAUSE YOU BELIEVED IN ME!

Advice for aspiring humanitarians

1. Pick an issue your heart breaks for

2. If you ask you won’t receive – you have to tell a story with feeling

3. It will be hard, remember your why and don’t quit

#Nisha34 Campaign Closed. Thank you all so much

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ” – Margaret Mead

Yesterday at midnight my #Nisha34 birthday campaign for Breath of Life officially closed thank you so much to everyone who helped – the gross amount is R57 386 while the net amount (after payment portal fees) is R54 455. The R54 455 will be paid out to Breath of Life by Backabuddy within a week and Breath of Life will use the money to buy diapers and other baby essentials as well as to cover the salaries of the carers who look after the babies and to cover the running expenses of the house (electricity, water, etc). Thank so much to everyone who gave of themselves and their resources to help make my birthday wish of making a difference at Breath of Life come true. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!