About Us – FX Foundation

Mission & Vision

We exist to close the school readiness gap — one child, one community, one nation at a time

FX Foundation develops and distributes Montessori-inspired educational materials to underprivileged children across Africa, ensuring they arrive at school ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

Our vision is a continent where every child — regardless of geography, income, or circumstance — has access to the cognitive and developmental foundation that unlocks their full potential.

"School readiness is not a privilege. It is a right — and the highest-leverage intervention we can make in a child's life."

Children in an early childhood development centre

Our Origin

From the screen to the classroom

The DAVID Film

Born from a creative journey

The animated film DAVID was produced by Sunrise Animation Studios in South Africa — a nation of extraordinary creative talent, deep community spirit, and profound human stories. As the production unfolded, our team was immersed in communities that formed the heart and soul of the project.

If DAVID is possible from Africa, surely anything is! What we witnessed — brilliant, curious children without access to quality early learning — planted the seed that grew into FX Foundation. The mission became clear: the creativity that went into telling a story on screen could be channeled into shaping real stories of educational transformation.

FX Foundation is our give-back to those communities — and to every community like them across the continent.

Watch the DAVID Trailer

Research Foundation

Every material we develop is grounded in developmental science and excellence

We work with Occupational Therapists and Teachers who work closely with research at Stellenbosch University on school readiness and industry experts with 35 years combined experience in the field, and therefore ensure our interventions are evidence-based, measurable, practical, and continuously refined.

Dr. Monique de Wit, Stellenbosch University

With a doctor's degree in occupational therapy and focusing her primary research on school readiness. Joint studies on early childhood development outcomes, curriculum alignment, and material efficacy across diverse learning environments.

Montessori Methodology

Materials align with core Montessori principles — child-led learning, tactile engagement, ordered environments — adapted for under-resourced African classroom settings.

Measured Outcomes

Every program is tracked against school readiness indicators: literacy readiness, numeracy, cognitive development, and teacher-reported engagement metrics.

Leadership

Driven by people who believe the world can be changed one classroom at a time

Bernard Lans

Founder & Executive Director

Executive Producer of the DAVID film and founder of the FX Foundation, Bernard brings entrepreneurial and operational experience to the challenge of early childhood education.

Hannelie Orsmond

Director of Programs

Early childhood development specialist with 12+ years of classroom and curriculum design experience across southern Africa.

Monique de Wit

Research & Impact Director

PhD in Occupational Therapy. Leads all research partnerships, outcome measurement frameworks, and academic publication efforts.

Our Values

What guides every decision we make

01

Evidence First

Every material, program, and investment decision is guided by developmental research and measurable outcomes.

02

Radical Access

The children who need these materials most should be first to receive them — not the last.

03

Systemic Thinking

We build for lasting change, not short-term relief. Sustainability is designed in from day one.

04

Community First

Programs are co-designed with the communities they serve — teachers, parents, and children are co-creators.

A foundation built on purpose, research, and an unshakeable belief in every child's potential