On June 16th, 2024, we hosted our inaugural "Love Feast" event at the Little Mall of Africa, which brought together fathers, mothers, and children for a special Father's Day celebration. While we didn't quite reach our participation target of 10-15 fathers and their children due to a few last-minute cancellations, the event was still a tremendous success.

We had 4 fathers - Jonathan, Thabiso, Motsile, and Themba - as well as 3 mothers - Angelina, Lebohang, and Atlehang - who stepped in to "parent" the 10 children in attendance. The feedback from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with comments like "We had a wonderful time 🕺🕺😅💪" and "Thank you Mr T for the invite." This event truly succeeded in fostering deeper relationships and creating lasting memories for the families involved.

The funding we received was critical in making this event possible. It allowed us to secure the venue at the Little Mall of Africa, which provided the perfect environment for connection and family-friendly activities. The dining facilities and welcoming atmosphere of the mall helped set the tone for a truly special day.

Beyond the immediate impact of the Love Feast, we're excited about the increased awareness and interest it has generated in the community for similar events that bring families together. Our team is already planning for the next edition, and we're confident that with the continued support of our partners and the enthusiasm of local families, we can make this an annual tradition that has a meaningful and lasting impact.

Looking ahead, our vision is to expand the Love Feast concept to other communities, creating a network of family-focused events that strengthen social bonds and provide opportunities for parents and children to connect meaningfully. With the success of our inaugural event, we believe we have a proven model that can be replicated elsewhere, and we're eager to begin reaching out to other neighborhoods and local leaders to explore these possibilities.

Thank you again for your support in making the Love Feast a reality. We're excited to continue building on this foundation and creating more joyful, community-driven experiences for families in the years to come.

Our event Poster.

Action plan:

Timeline: The 'Love Feast' event will be held on June 16th, 2024, which is also Father's Day. The planning for the event started on May 20th, 2024, and the team will meet weekly to ensure everything is on track. The key dates include:

- May 30th: Follow-up Meeting

- June 1st: Finalize all logistics and marketing

- June 16th: 'Love Feast' event

Budget:

Food:

- Burgers (30 servings) - R1 900

- Beverages (30 servings) - R300

Activitiy Material:

- Drawing and coloring supplies - R200

- Prizes for competitions (1st, 2nd, 3rd) - R200

Equipment:

- Hire of 2 tables and chairs - R500

Impact:

The 'Love Feast' event aims to build stronger social connections between 10-15 fathers and their children. By providing a fun and engaging environment, the event will encourage quality time spent together, fostering deeper relationships and creating lasting memories.

The measurable goals for the event include:

- Participation of at least 10-15 fathers and their children

- Positive feedback from attendees on the impact of the event

- Increased awareness and interest in similar community events that bring families together

Location:

The event will be held at Frangipani Park, 2 Greenhout Ave, Chantelle, Akasia, 0201. The park has the necessary facilities, including open spaces, picnic tables, and access to restrooms, to accommodate the anticipated number of attendees.

Social Media:

The event will be promoted on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, starting two weeks before the event date. The team will also reach out to their personal networks to invite interested participants. The @openseatlife team will be notified to share an Instagram post 5-7 days before the event to help fill up any remaining open seats.