Catherine Du Plooy is a 41-year-old mother of two young boys from Melkbos, Cape Town, who has dedicated her career to working in the non-profit space for over two decades.
From caring for children in her younger days at Afrika Tikkun, to playing a key role in the success of BackabBuddy, South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform over the last 7 years, Catherine has always been passionate about helping others.
At home, Catherine enjoys spending time with her husband Nick, their sons, Daniel (6) and Caleb (1), her parents, siblings and their young children.
“With our boisterous boys and their many cousins, our home is always filled with noise and laughter that hugs our hearts. And our days revolve around homework, nap time, superhero’s and birthday parties year round” – says Catherine
The launch of Gift Horse
While driving home in 2022, Catherine experienced a common situation among mothers when her oldest son expressed dislike for a lego set she had purchased as a birthday gift for one of his classmates.
This prompted her to question the value of the many meaningless toys that she had purchased over the years and the lesson she was teaching her children.
“I started looking at all this plastic that has no purpose; the broken army guns, action figures with missing parts, and the little gadgets don’t last.” – says Catherine
“I thought there must be a way to give my children gifts that are made with care, that will teach them gratitude, and put some kindness back into the world” – says Catherine
And thus, Catherine decided to launch Gift Horse, an e-commerce gift shop with a mission to raise compassionate children while supporting local charities.
Partnering with several non-profits, including The Little Optimist Trust, Herd Trust and Naomi’s Joy, to name a few, Catherine has curated a selection of beautiful, conscious gifts for her online store.
“With Gift Horse I hope to connect parents with affordable, high-quality gifts that can directly benefit the non-profit organizations that craft them, while teaching our children that many small acts of kindness can make a meaningful and lasting impact ” – says Catherine
Gift Horse offers a range of gift options that are suitable for various occasions, including birthdays, weddings, and baby showers, which will surely be appreciated by parents.
Celebrate the launch of Gift Horse and support Catherine’s mission by visiting the website and connecting with the shop on Instagram.
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