Lauren Lee Baatjies: Igniting hope and transformation in Mitchells Plain
For Lauren Lee Baatjies, the journey of hope, resilience, and service began long before her official appointment as a coach and centre manager at Wave Crest Primary School in Mitchells Plain. Growing up in the very same community she now serves, Lauren saw the struggles young people faced every day, poverty, crime, and limited opportunities that too often dimmed their dreams. But instead of allowing these challenges to break her spirit, they became her motivation to choose a different path: one of giving back.
Before her appointment in 2015, Lauren dedicated two years of her life as a volunteer at Wave Crest Primary. Without pay or recognition, she showed up every day because she believed the children deserved someone who believed in them. Her selflessness did not go unnoticed, and when she officially joined the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s MOD Programme, it was clear this was not just a job for her, it was the fulfilment of a calling.
“The Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth (MOD) programme has truly shaped my life as a coach, especially because I come from this very community,” Lauren shares. “Growing up here, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our children face and the limited opportunities available to them. Being part of this programme allows me not only to give back, but also to be the role model for the learners and the broader community.”
And that is exactly what she has become.
To the children of Wave Crest Primary, Coach Lauren is more than a coach, she is a light in the darkness, a safe space in a world that often feels unsafe. Every practice at Wave Crest is filled with laughter, encouragement, and sometimes even tears because Lauren has created more than just an after-school programme. She has built a haven.
For the learners, the MOD Programme has become a place where teamwork replaces loneliness, discipline replaces despair, and hope replaces hopelessness. “Every practice, every game, every performance is more than just an activity—it’s a chance to guide them away from negative influences and show them a path of growth,” she says.
But it is not only the children whose lives have been changed. The MOD programme also shaped Lauren’s own journey. “It keeps me grounded, motivated, and hopeful. Watching children grow in confidence, talent, and character reminds me why I continue to serve despite the challenges. The programme has strengthened my belief that change begins at home, and it has made me proud to be part of building a brighter future for the next generation in this area.”
Her story is more than a personal success; it is the story of a community that refuses to let its children be defined by circumstances. Through Lauren’s enduring commitment, the MOD Programme has become a powerful force of transformation in Mitchells Plain. Learners who might otherwise have strayed toward negative paths now stand taller, dream bigger, and believe in themselves because someone from their own streets chose to rise and to lift them with her.
Lauren Lee Baatjies embodies the very spirit of the MOD Programme: to nurture talent, inspire hope, and create opportunity. Her life is proof that when one person chooses to give back, entire generations can be changed.