Quality Promise

  • We believe in long life of products and not in obsolescence, so while we have no control over high winds, any acts of Nature or carelessness, if you care for your heART At Work products responsibly, they should be part of your life for an extraordinarily long time.
  • If exposed to direct sunlight, this will fade certain products, especially fabric products.
  • All fabric products are machine washable unless stated otherwise.
  • The materials we use are either recycled materials sourced locally (mirror, ostrich egg shells, paper) otherwise sustainable materials sourced responsibly. We choose glass, crystal and wooden beads of excellent quality and use nylon coated stainless steel for all our jewellery and mobiles with a 20 pound breaking strain.
  • The stainless steel is high grade and if you care for it correctly, will last you a lifetime.
  • We believe in Fair Trade, Not Aid and abhor exploitation of any kind.
  • Every single item is made with loving care and while hand crafted items need to take into account human error, every effort has been made to ensure that you will be proud and happy to have bought a heART At Work item, bringing you back time and again for more of our special and enchanting creations.
  • All of our products are made locally in the Helderberg area just outside Cape Town, South Africa.
  • We believe in long life of products and not in obsolescence, so while we have no control over high winds, any acts of Nature or carelessness, if you care for your heART At Work products responsibly, they should be part of your life for an extraordinarily long time.
  • If exposed to direct sunlight, this will fade certain products, especially fabric products.
  • All fabric products are machine washable unless stated otherwise.
  • The materials we use are either recycled materials sourced locally (mirror, ostrich egg shells, paper) otherwise sustainable materials sourced responsibly. We choose glass, crystal and wooden beads of excellent quality and use nylon coated stainless steel for all our jewellery and mobiles with a 20 pound breaking strain.
  • The stainless steel is high grade and if you care for it correctly, will last you a lifetime.
  • We believe in Fair Trade, Not Aid and abhor exploitation of any kind.
  • Every single item is made with loving care and while hand crafted items need to take into account human error, every effort has been made to ensure that you will be proud and happy to have bought a heART At Work item, bringing you back time and again for more of our special and enchanting creations.
  • All of our products are made locally in the Helderberg area just outside Cape Town, South Africa.

Our Mission

heART AT WORK® will passionately strive to ensure that economically marginalised parents from previously disadvantaged communities within the Helderberg Basin, become the custodian of skills, empowering them to earn a sustainable income. This will enable them to provide for the basic and educational needs of their children, while being a present parent and effective role model.

heART AT WORK® will provide craft training, micro-business management skills and foster economic opportunities in order to create a platform for a sustainable income, improving the quality of life for both parent and child.

Our Vision

Empower Parents in township communities within the Helderberg Basin to fulfill their intrinsic value as providers and care givers to their children.

Our Motivation

We believe in Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” Success is a collective effort—whether raising a child, building a business, or uplifting the economy. We strive to empower those we collaborate with to reach their full potential, becoming role models for their children and contributing to our nation’s future.

Our Story

Who Are We

We are Ruth and Andre’ Marriott, proud parents of our son James. His arrival has filled our lives with love and invaluable lessons, inspiring us in our journey as entrepreneurs.

Our Home

Based in the beautiful Helderberg region near Cape Town, South Africa, we live and create in an area rich in resources yet close to communities striving for sustainable development and a better quality of life. Our work is deeply connected to these communities, and we are committed to contributing to local social impact and community upliftment.

Our Journey

When the Cape Town clothing industry collapsed, our well-planned world fell apart. This challenge led us to craft our first product—a handmade crystal mobile for our nephew. This meaningful gift laid the foundation for our small business, which focuses on creating eco-friendly products using recycled materials.

Overcoming Challenges

With only R70 left one winter, we used our last resources to make and sell sandwiches, sustaining us until our next market. This pivotal moment was a testament to our resilience and determination to succeed as small business owners.

New Beginnings

In September, our crystal mobiles were accepted by the V&A Waterfront Small Business Development initiative, opening doors for us at the Waterfront Craftmarket (now Watershed), a hub for local artisans and entrepreneurs. This opportunity marked a significant milestone in our business journey.

Mercy’s story

A young Xhosa woman named Mercy came into our lives, struggling to find work in the city. Inspired by a friend, we taught her to create custom mosaic mirrors from recycled mirror offcuts. This initiative not only transformed Mercy’s life but also allowed us to involve more young women in the project, furthering our commitment to community development and empowerment.

Donate

Transforming communities starts with small acts of kindness

At Heart at Work, we’re dedicated to uplifting vulnerable communities in Somerset West and beyond, empowering individuals through meaningful projects and support.


With your generous donation, we can continue to spread hope, improve lives, and create lasting impact – one heart at a time.
Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to a brighter, more connected future.

Thank you for standing with us.

Donate

NGO

We formalized our business with the help of some amazing people, creating a Social Enterprise that could operate as both a for profit Pty (Ltd) as well as a Non Profit Trust (PBO & NPO).

NPO&PBO Trustees

Quality Promise

  • We believe in long life of products and not in obsolescence, so while we have no control over high winds, any acts of Nature or carelessness, if you care for your heART At Work products responsibly, they should be part of your life for an extraordinarily long time.
  • If exposed to direct sunlight, this will fade certain products, especially fabric products.
  • All fabric products are machine washable unless stated otherwise.
  • The materials we use are either recycled materials sourced locally (mirror, ostrich egg shells, paper) otherwise sustainable materials sourced responsibly. We choose glass, crystal and wooden beads of excellent quality and use nylon coated stainless steel for all our jewellery and mobiles with a 20 pound breaking strain.
  • The stainless steel is high grade and if you care for it correctly, will last you a lifetime.
  • We believe in Fair Trade, Not Aid and abhor exploitation of any kind.
  • Every single item is made with loving care and while hand crafted items need to take into account human error, every effort has been made to ensure that you will be proud and happy to have bought a heART At Work item, bringing you back time and again for more of our special and enchanting creations.
  • All of our products are made locally in the Helderberg area just outside Cape Town, South Africa.