Christel DeHaan co-founded Resort Condominiums International (RCI), and under her leadership, RCI grew into a global enterprise with offices in 38 countries. Then she had a profoundly transformative experience that changed the course of her own life and the lives of thousands of children around the world.
“After she sold RCI, I introduced her to a nun in charge of orphans and abandoned kids in Mexico City,” remembers Gabriel Oropeza, former President of RCI Latin America and now Board Chair at Christel House Mexico. “I asked Christel for a cheque to help these kids. Christel came back not only with a cheque but with a new mission in her life.”
Christel DeHaan quickly realized that for children to break the cycle of poverty, they needed access to a strong education along with all the necessary supports to succeed — nutrition, healthcare, character education, family assistance, career support, and more. From that moment on, she devoted her time, energy, and financial resources to this cause.
In 1998, she founded Christel House International and developed a holistic school model designed to move children and their families out of poverty.
Explore the remarkable 25-year journey of Christel House
from the launch of the first school in Mexico in 1998 to
our global impact today.
A world where poverty doesn’t limit potential.
Our Mission: Christel House prepares graduates to achieve upward economic mobility, demonstrate good citizenship, and become empowered to identify and realise their goals, dreams, and human potential.
Our model is focused on the holistic development of the child; it’s deliberately crafted so that thousands of children globally will realise this mission. Graduates of Christel House are proactive, empowered individuals who surmount adversity, make positive contributions to society, and pave the way for future generations.
The Christel House South Africa team is dedicated to transforming the lives of children around the world through education
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Finance & Operations Officer
Chief Academic Officer
Junior School Principal
High School Principal
Managing Partner: Youth Bridge
Acting Head of Fundraising & Marketing
Dean of Student Development
Career Development Manager
Chairman, Christel House South Africa
CEO BXC, with expertise in business, finance, marketing, communication and technology.
President & Chief Executive Officer: Christel House International
Founder of The Mind Trust, a national model for driving urban education reform in the U.S.; previously partner with City Fund.
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee
CEO and Chairman of multinational listed groups in retail, financial services and diversified conglomerates, with expertise in strategy, business leadership and governance.
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee
Non-Executive Director of Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA).
Member of the Human Resources Committee
Chief Human Resources Officer at Vodacom Group, with human resources expertise in different portfolios and industries.
Member of the Marketing and 10X Committees
Business and marketing specialist.
Member of the Marketing, 10X, and Human Resources Committees
Executive Director with expertise in strategy development, business management, sales & marketing, and business finance.
Member of the Education Committee
Head of BlackRock Africa.
Member of the Education Committee
Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at UCT, with expertise in education and as a transformative education specialist.
Member of the Marketing Committee
Served as a non-executive director and trustee on the boards of various listed and unlisted companies and NPOs, with twenty-five years worth of expertise in both the business and development sectors.
Chief Financial & Operations Officer and Company Secretary: Christel House South Africa
Chartered Accountant [CA(SA)] with expertise in business, finance and operations management.
Chief Executive Officer: Christel House South Africa
Expertise in business development, tertiary education and social transformation.
We adhere to rigorous business practices. Accountability and transparency are paramount, and financials are audited annually. 100% of donations support programmes and services for children. All our administration, finance, marketing and fundraising costs are funded by the Founder’s bequest to the organisation.
We are registered as a:
• Non-Profit Organisation with the Department of Social Development | NPO Number: 017-044 NPO
• Public Benefit Organisation in terms of Section 18A of the SA Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 | PBO Number: 130001018
• Level 6 B-BBEE status level in accordance with the Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment | B-BBEE Certificate #: BEE66/24
• Non-Profit Company | Registration #: 2001/012349/08
We are registered as a:
• Non-Profit Organisation with the Department of Social Development | NPO Number: 017-044 NPO
• Public Benefit Organisation in terms of Section 18A of the SA Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 | PBO Number: 130001018
• Level 6 B-BBEE status level in accordance with the Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment | B-BBEE Certificate #: BEE66/24
• Non-Profit Company | Registration #: 2001/012349/08
