When Business Meets Heart: A Transformative 10 Days at the IY Learning Hub

Earlier this month, the Imizamo Yethu Learning Hub had the privilege of hosting a dynamic group of students and faculty from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business. Over the course of 10 days, these volunteers offered something incredibly valuable - not just their time, but their insight, expertise, and strategic thinking.

What unfolded was more than just a visit. It was a partnership. A bridge between business and purpose. Between global perspective and local impact.

Learning, Sharing, Building

The team began their experience by immersing themselves in the heart of the Hub - spending time with the children, hearing from staff, and getting to know the community we serve. From laughter-filled activities to honest conversations about the needs on the ground, they took the time to truly understand the context.

What followed was remarkable.

For the rest of their time with us, they applied their skills in areas such as:

• Organisational strategy and structure

• Financial sustainability models

• Marketing and brand visibility

• Community engagement frameworks

• Long-term planning for impact

Together, we explored what it looks like to run a nonprofit that’s not just surviving, but thriving - one that can sustain itself while offering consistent, high-quality care to the children and families of Imizamo Yethu.

A Partnership with Long-Term Impact

This experience wasn’t just impactful for this moment - it’s helping shape our direction for the next 5 years. Their input has equipped us to think bigger, act smarter, and deepen our commitment to our community in tangible ways.

What made this partnership so powerful was the spirit of mutual exchange — their learnings enriched our leadership, while the Hub’s lived realities gave depth and meaning to their business principles. It’s proof that when people bring their skills with humility, everyone grows.

We Want More of This

To universities, businesses, and individuals: We want more of this.

We want to host more skilled volunteers. We want to explore strategic partnerships. We want to co-create new ways of serving our community.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Just a willingness to show up, to learn, and to contribute what you know.

Because when knowledge meets compassion, and when skills meet service — beautiful things happen.

Interested in partnering with us? We’d love to explore how your team, organisation, or class can get involved.