How Pie Boyz Started
Pie Boyz, a Social Enterprise, based in White River, South Africa was co-founded in 2021 by Terri and Jeff Mazik. Baking has always been Terri's side passion and they began to wonder if Terri could use those skills to train and equip others while providing sustainability for their their charity, Sawubona Project. The question was, where to start and with what product? That's when it hit them...what about HAND PIES - PIES WITH A PURPOSE! Terri manages the day to day of the social enterprise working with a fantastic team producing quality products and Jeff manages the operational side of Pie Boyz. Their motto, "Buy a Pie, Change a Life", is no longer just a dream, thanks to a growing community of customers.
Why Hand Pies?
It all started in 2018 in Ontario, Canada, in a small town called Listowel. Jeff came home with half a dozen "fry pies" from the newly opened Impressions bakery. One bite and they were both in heaven. WOW! That was the first time Jeff or Terri had ever tasted a "fry pie," let alone heard of one. Jeff became a far too regular customer of Impressions Bakery, and got to know the owner, Graham. In 2021, Jeff reached out to Graham and asked if he would be willing to share his recipe in order for Terri to create and introduce pies in White River. Graham didn't hesitate for a second. THANKS GRAHAM! Terri got to work and created fillings that could be locally sourced and decided to bake rather than fry. They did some testing, received good feedback and then launched in October 2021 at a local school fair. They continued to grow their market presence on weekends and now have a social enterprise; Pie Boyz Bakery, operating full-time in the little town of White River. The Bakery and the markets provide an opportunity to offer pre-employment and employment skills training to Sawubona Project Beneficiaries. #BuyaPieChangeaLife
Sawubona Project and Pie Boyz
Jeff and Terri Mazik co-founded Sawubona Project, a Canadian Charity. They launched their first Life Skills Program in Msholozi, South Africa, in 2019. Sawubona Project exists to ignite the hearts and minds of young people in Southern Africa to embrace and inspire change. Sawubona Project focuses on mentoring, life, leadership, employment skills and discipleship training. Presently Sawubona Project works in two communities, Msholozi and Phumlani, with a population of approximately 30,000. Multiple programs are run throughout the week, which include the interactive facilitation of 30 life skills modules, relationship building, games day, summer/winter camps, discipleship, pre-employment and employment training and a nutritious meal. Beneficiaries are vulnerable children and youth. Modules are facilitated by trained young adults who live in the same community and can offer leadership as role models. Pie Boyz, a social enterprise, offers beneficiaries employment skills training, improving their potential for employment opportunities.