The Idea:

These Numbers Have Faces believes that relationships can change the world.

We care deeply about issues of poverty, disease, and conflict, but the driving force behind TNHF is the connection we have with our friends in South Africa.

Numbers, statistics, figures, and data are important ways to evaluate and measure complex issues like global poverty. But in terms of actually reducing it, we believe transforming statistics into human relationships to be one of the most effective and powerful steps forward. It is in these relationships where hope comes alive, where God is real, and where our lives find significance greater than ourselves.

No matter what the news media tell us, our dear friends in South Africa are not numbers. They are not color coded charts, pie graphs, or economic statistics. These Numbers Have Faces.

The Vision of TNHF:

The most powerful poverty reduction methods are community-based.

Our vision is that young people around the world will have access to a quality education and learn the skills needed to reduce poverty in their own communities.

What We Do:

These Numbers Have Faces invests in the future leaders of South Africa by empowering young people to reduce poverty in their own communities.

Through college scholarships and a dynamic Community Impact Model based on service, mentoring, and financial literacy, young people are developing the skills to transform South Africa.

Our Story:

While leading a group of students from Northern Ireland on a service trip to South Africa in the summer of 2006, These Numbers Have Faces Founder and Director, Justin Zoradi, came across the JL Zwane Football Club, an amazing soccer team which he noticed practicing on a tattered field in the Gugulethu township.  

Justin began to spend a lot of time with Coach Eric Kombela, the visionary behind JL Zwane FC, and learned that JL Zwane FC’s goal was to use soccer as a catalyst for promoting education, HIV/AIDS awareness, leadership, and character development for young township men. Justin became very excited about this message, and over the course of those summer months, began to build lasting relationships with Coach Eric and the young men of JL Zwane FC.

On his last night in South Africa, Justin had dinner with Coach Eric and a few other youth from the soccer team. Coach Eric turned to Justin, “Justin, will you help our team get soccer equipment when you get back to America? We need shorts, shoes, shin guards, and uniforms. Will you help us?”

Justin had seen the need for adequate equipment during the time he spent at practices. He had seen young men sub off the field and give their shoes to teammates who didn’t have any.

Justin said yes. Then Coach Eric took the conversation one step further.

"Justin, will you also help boys on my team go to college? They’re ambitious, intelligent, they want to do great things in the world, but they lack the resources necessary to become educated and improve their lives and the lives of their families.”

Unsure of how to respond, Justin promised they would stay in touch. He moved to Portland and remained in regular contact with Coach Eric and some of the players through Skype, emails and text messages. Justin knew he wanted to help his friends in South Africa, but was unsure of how to do it.

While in graduate school at Portland State University, Justin was sitting in the park blocks after class and had a revelation, a divine moment, when he realized that his parents had paid for his entire undergraduate degree. In that moment of clarity he understood very deeply that he couldn't continue his own education while denying the same opportunities for his friends in South Africa. 

Meet our students, review our Community Impact Model, see where we work, and donate.