Introduction
Founded in 2022 by Thobile Vilakati, Love In Motion (LIM) is a Swaziland-based non-profit organization that grew out of personal adversity and a profound desire to make a difference. Thobile’s journey with LIM reflects a deep commitment to supporting those experiencing emotional and spiritual challenges. LIM is dedicated to uplifting individuals who feel rejected, hopeless, and isolated, providing them with a “Haven of Hope.”
Inspiration Behind Love In Motion
The idea for Love In Motion emerged from the founder’s own struggles. Thobile Vilakati has faced extreme hardships, including times when she had no choice but to sleep in her car or office and rely on discarded food. Despite these challenges, she persevered with the support of her friends and South African clientele. As an accountant by profession, she maintained resilience through financial hardship, rejection, and feelings of hopelessness. Through LIM, Thobile strives to create the kind of supportive circle she once relied on—a community that provides compassion, emotional healing, and practical support to those in desperate situations.
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
At its heart, Love In Motion is a compassion-driven initiative focused on meeting the needs of those who are hurting. LIM’s mission is clear: to offer a safe space for the wounded, rejected, and hopeless, providing a platform for emotional, spiritual, and financial empowerment.
Mission: Encourage and empower individuals who feel downcast, meet the needs of the hopeless, and cultivate future leaders through skills development.
Vision: Make love tangible and visible, particularly for those who feel alone. LIM aims to create a sense of “belonging” through an atmosphere that fosters acceptance and community.
Core Values: LIM adheres to a set of values they call “CHIP”—Confidentiality, Honesty, Integrity, and Professionalism—ensuring that each interaction remains compassionate and trustworthy.
Services and Impact
LIM offers a comprehensive range of support services that extend far beyond traditional counseling. They focus on meeting emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical needs, tailoring their approach to provide holistic support to men and women alike.
- Emotional and Spiritual Support: Counseling sessions offer hope and comfort to individuals struggling with emotional turmoil, depression, and spiritual discouragement.
- Financial Empowerment: LIM provides financial empowerment through skills development and small-scale business initiatives, helping people gain the tools they need to support themselves.
- Community Outreach: Thobile and her team are involved in distributing essential items, such as school shoes, groceries, sanitary products, and other necessities, to vulnerable individuals in their community.
Revenue Model and Challenges
Love In Motion’s growth and outreach initiatives have so far been supported by Thobile’s personal resources. Currently, LIM does not have external funding, and limited financial resources have posed significant challenges for expansion. Despite the financial strain, Thobile remains committed to her mission. “We’re scouting for funding,” she explains, “but I am determined to use what I have to make an impact, no matter how small.” The organization’s resilience is evident in the incremental yet impactful steps they’ve taken to make a difference.
Target Audience
LIM’s outreach focuses on individuals in need of emotional and spiritual support, irrespective of gender or background. Through their work, LIM reaches people from various walks of life who feel isolated, rejected, or overwhelmed by personal challenges. Thobile’s experience with hardship has allowed her to empathize deeply with LIM’s clients, fostering a supportive and compassionate environment.
Differentiation and Unique Value
Love In Motion stands out from other organizations by creating lasting emotional and spiritual connections. Thobile prioritizes compassion and empathy in every interaction, striving to leave each person with a positive and transformative experience. “Our aim,” Thobile explains, “is to build lasting, impactful relationships with everyone we touch, ensuring that our work resonates on a deeper level.” This commitment to lasting impact distinguishes LIM from other support initiatives, making it a trusted safe haven for those it serves.
Key Milestones and Achievements
Despite financial limitations, Love In Motion has celebrated several meaningful milestones in its first year:
- School Shoe Sponsorship: LIM has provided shoes for 20 school children in need.
- Financial Empowerment through Small Business Support: LIM distributed 10 bottles of perfume to 11 men and women, giving them the opportunity to start their own small businesses.
- Grocery and Sanitary Item Distribution: LIM has supplied groceries to numerous families and distributed sanitary products to women in need.
- Educational Support: The organization sponsored one young woman to study MOS at a college in South Africa, who has since graduated.
- Launch of an Online Radio Station: In a bid to extend its reach, LIM launched an online radio station, creating a platform to offer guidance and support beyond physical boundaries.
Challenges and Overcoming Barriers
While Thobile has achieved much with limited resources, financial constraints remain a substantial hurdle. LIM has not yet secured external funding, making it difficult to meet the growing demands for support services. Nonetheless, Thobile remains hopeful and continues to seek partnerships and funding opportunities to expand LIM’s outreach. “We are led by compassion,” she says, explaining how her vision allows her to continue meeting needs with the resources she has. Thobile’s unwavering commitment is proof of her determination to overcome these obstacles.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Thobile’s vision for Love In Motion involves expanding its capacity to impact more lives. She envisions LIM becoming a far-reaching network of support, empowering individuals to break free from their struggles and, eventually, pay it forward. By encouraging those LIM has helped to extend a helping hand to others, Thobile hopes to create a ripple effect that fosters resilience and hope in an ever-growing community.
- Broader Impact: Thobile aims to expand LIM’s programs to reach more people across Swaziland and South Africa, increasing support for emotionally and financially struggling individuals.
- Empowerment and Mentorship: With an emphasis on skills development, LIM hopes to create lasting financial independence for its beneficiaries, fostering a culture of self-sufficiency and mutual support.
- Paying It Forward: Thobile believes in encouraging recipients of LIM’s assistance to pass on the support, thus building a self-sustaining community of compassion and resilience.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those considering starting their own venture, Thobile offers valuable insight: “Paint your vision clearly, and don’t stop dreaming in color. Remain focused on your purpose as the Vision Bearer.” Her words reflect the perseverance and dedication required to navigate the challenges of running an NPO. By staying true to her vision, Thobile has managed to inspire hope and foster change in her community, a testament to the strength of a purpose-driven mission.
