Our Story
01
From a Simple PowerPoint to a Movement
From a Simple PowerPoint to a Movement
Swiss educator Karin Stierlin grew frustrated with outdated, shame-filled sex education.
She created Love Land as a joyful, inclusive tool where young people could openly explore their bodies and feelings. This was just the start of something much bigger.
02
Building a Movement: The Birth of Taboobreaker
Building a Movement: The Birth of Taboobreaker
To expand the mission, Karin founded Taboobreaker Association in Switzerland..
The association became a hub for playful, stigma-free tools empowering youth to approach mental and sexual health education with confidence, honesty and care in diverse communities.
03
Breaking Barriers: Love Land’s Global Impact
Breaking Barriers: Love Land’s Global Impact
During a volunteer trip to Indonesia, Love Land broke through cultural barriers and stigma.
It quickly became a trusted part of daily school life, sparking honest conversations and building confidence in students. This showed playful learning can transform lives everywhere.
04
Expanding Horizons: Bringing Love Land to Every Youth
Expanding Horizons: Bringing Love Land to Every Youth
Karin teamed up with startup mentor JP Vuilleumier to take Love Land beyond borders.
Together they developed a 3-in-1 solution including an app, board game and learning lab that delivers adaptable, engaging mental and sexual health education worldwide.
05
Proven and Trusted: Growing Across Borders
Proven and Trusted: Growing Across Borders
Love Land has been tested in over five countries and supported by leading research institutions.
This global reach highlights its relevance and credibility, reinforcing the universal need for compassionate mental and sexual health education.
06
A Hub for Change: Launching Taboobreaker in Africa
A Hub for Change: Launching Taboobreaker in Africa
In South Africa, Taboobreaker SA NPC was launched to drive change across the continent.
It serves as a hub delivering the 3-in-1 tools, helping communities foster lasting impact through playful and meaningful mental and sexual health education.
07
Empowering Communities: Trusted by Educators and Families
Empowering Communities: Trusted by Educators and Families
Educators, youth, and families embrace Love Land for its engaging and supportive approach.
It helps young people explore consent, puberty, communication and well-being through games, stories and honest dialogue that build trust and confidence.
08
A Bold Future: Join the Movement to Break Taboos
A Bold Future: Join the Movement to Break Taboos
Taboobreaker is more than education it is a growing movement for hope, courage and connection. With a passionate team and strong community roots, it empowers young people worldwide to face life’s challenges boldly.
Let’s play to break taboos.
Taboobreaker’s Approach
Our Team
Management Team
Advisory Board
Game & Web Design Team, Board Members & Directors
Board Members Switzerland
Board Members of Taboobreaker Association Switzerland
Directors South Africa
Directors of Taboobreaker SA NPC South Africa
Loud Rabbits
Love Land the App and Website built by Loud Rabbits from 2019 to 2024.
Our Partners and Supporters
Funder
Proud Grantee of Gender Links
SRH Program
Hanga Sexual and Reproductive Health
Testing Partner
Leap School
LEAP Science and Maths Schools are transformative institutions in South Africa, focusing on science, mathematics, and holistic education for students from underserved communities. Founded by John Gilmour, these schools aim to bridge educational gaps while fostering emotional well-being and community leadership.
In partnership with Taboobreaker, LEAP schools facilitated testing and evaluation of the Love Land app to enhance its effectiveness. This collaboration has been instrumental in refining Love Land’s approach to empowering youth. The partnership was also featured in a Swiss TV documentary, highlighting the innovative efforts of both organizations to create meaningful change.
Academic Partner​
University of Cape Town
The Department of Psychology of the UCT is  one of the leading research departments in South Africa. Their staff members have considerable expertise in a number of areas, and have contributed important original research to national and international journals.
A dedicated research team of the University of Cape Town, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Catherine Ward, is currently developing a cluster randomised control trial on the effectiveness of the Love Land app in promoting sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour change among young people aged 10-19 years.
Establishment of SROI and CEM​
Costello Medical
Over the last year, Costello Medical have been working with Taboobreaker Association to evaluate the socio-economic impact and cost-effectiveness of the game-based Love Land intervention in South Africa. In 2022, the Costello Medical team presented plans for the development of social return-on-investment (SROI) and cost-effectiveness models (CEM) at a University of Cape Town symposium during Digital Health Week. Costello Medical have now completed both models together with the Taboobreaker Association.Â
Testing Partner
Zurich University of the Arts
The Game Design Department of the ZHdK focuses on the culture, research and design of interactive games.
Students of ZHdK under the lead of Prof. Ulrich Götz are testing the Love Land app and advising us regarding game mechanics, content and storyline.
Cooperation Partner
The Justice Desk
The Justice Desk is a Human Rights non-profit organisation that is active in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Taboobreaker Association and The Justice Desk have built up a cooperation to foster sexual and reproductive health education with Love Land for the young people of the justice desk.
Global Partner
Global Partnership Forum
The Global Partnership Forum on CSE is a collective of 70 members from varying fields, disciplines and interests who come together to support the progress, development and evidence for quality CSE.
Official Partner
Transform Health
Transform Health is coalition of organisations that advocate for the equitable digital transformation of health systems. So far the Taboobreaker Association has participated twice at the Digital Health Week, launched by Transform Health and is an official partner of Transform Health.
Our Team
Love Land and Taboobreaker’s Milestones
Take a look back at key moments we have reached as Love Land continues to expand.
Taboobreaker selected as a winner of the Hanga Pitchfest, gaining funding and strategic coaching.
The Love Land app reaches 7,000 downloads, achieved without any paid social media campaigns.
Taboobreaker receives a strategic grant from Gender Links to expand SRH education across Southern Africa.
Taboobreaker SA NPC officially granted Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status, with PBO number 930083674
Susan Stucky appointed as the new chairwoman of the Taboobreaker board.
Train-the-Trainer program is scaled up with improved materials and implementation in SA schools.
Break Free Bay, a new island focused on gender-based violence, is released on the Love Land app.
Social Return on Investment and Customer Engagement Model finalised and ready for publication.
Love Land surpasses 4,000 organic downloads, proving reach without paid promotion.
Love Land presented at St John’s College, Oxford, to global audience on CSE innovation.
Gamified reward system launched with customisable 'My Island' to boost user motivation.
Train-the-Trainer pilot launched and evaluated with UCT to empower adults in SRH education.
Grant from the Swiss Embassy in South Africa to support the evaluation of the Train-the-Trainer program with UCT.
Gender-based violence workshop featured by Deutsche Welle in a segment on Love Land.
Hybrid event with University of Cape Town at Digital Health Week draws 300+ participants.
Lee-Ann Van Rooi appointed Director of Taboobreaker SA NPC, bringing creative leadership.
Love Land featured on Swiss TV (SRF) with app testing and interviews of young users.
Pro bono support from Costello Medical to develop a Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Cost-effectiveness Model (CEM).
New voiceovers recorded with comedians and professionals in English, French, and Afrikaans.
ZHdK game design students evaluate navigation, content, and learning balance of the Love Land app and provide feedback.
Funding from the Lotti Latrous Foundation supports the French translation of the Love Land app.
Closed beta testing of the app with up to 70 teenagers and feedback analysis via secure data platform.
App released through social media and partner organizations for wide-scale open beta testing.
App released through social media and partner organizations for wide-scale open beta testing.
Pilot workshop with Justice Desk to test the analog version of the Love Land training program.
Beta version launched on Android and iOS, featuring five interactive learning islands.
MVP app tested with young users at Young Bafana, focusing on participants with low reading skills.
MVP prototype tested with youth in Harare, Zimbabwe to gather first user feedback.
Initial game design document created with Loud Rabbits to define the Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Initial funding received from the Lotte and Adolf Hotz Foundation, Dorave Stiftung, and private donors.
Initial concept developed, inspired by UNESCO guidelines and aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Development of Love Land app begins, designed by Loud Rabbits and key funders.
Join The Movement
If you or your organisation has valuable resources, support or insight to contribute to Love Land’s mission, get in touch with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see your question?
Get in touch with us directly
Taboobreaker is a South African and Swiss nonprofit transforming how mental and sexual health education is delivered. We create stigma-free, youth-informed tools that empower young people to make confident, informed decisions.
Our resources are designed for young people, educators, caregivers and community leaders who want honest, accessible education on mental and sexual health.These factors put children and young people at high risk of exploitation and other harmful consequences.
Therefore, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is essential to prepare young people for safe, productive and fulfilling lives in a world where sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, unwanted pregnancies, gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality pose serious risks to their well-being.
Young people are thought to receive information on sexual issues from informal sources such as peers or social media; and their willingness to take preventive action may be affected by barriers or changing factors related to prevention or treatment of the disease. Attitudes and values regarding gender and sexuality are thought to be formed in early childhood and during adolescence, eventually dictating sexual behaviour and influencing individuals into adulthood.
CSE has therefore been shown to enable children and young people to develop accurate and age-appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills; positive values, including respect for human rights, gender equality and diversity; and attitudes and skills that contribute to safe, healthy and positive relationships.
CSE is also important because it can help young people reflect on social norms, cultural values and traditional beliefs to better understand and shape their relationships with peers, parents, teachers, other adults and their communities.
We use a 3-in-1 multichannel model combining digital learning, interactive activities and hands-on tools. Everything is developed with input from young people to ensure it is relevant, inclusive and easy to use.
Yes. Our app is free to download (insert download) and our Learning Lab is freely accessible to everyone (link). We believe honest, stigma-free education should be available to all young people.
Love Land is our multi-channel solution including an app, game and online platform where young people can safely explore mental and sexual health topics. The name was chosen by young people during design and testing. For them, Love Land represents a safe space for curiosity, care and confidence without shame.
You can support Taboobreaker by donating, partnering or volunteering. Your support helps us expand Love Land, train educators and reach more young people. [Click here to donate] (Insert donation link)
Currently, our resources are available in English, Afrikaans and French. We plan to add more languages to make our education accessible to even more people globally.
No. While designed for young people, the Love Land board game can be adapted for adults as well. Adults often benefit greatly since many lack access to honest, stigma-free education about mental and sexual health. It encourages open conversations and shared learning across generations.
Yes, Taboobreaker is a registered nonprofit in both South Africa and Switzerland. We are an NPC and PBO in South Africa and also registered as an association in Switzerland, ensuring we meet high legal and financial standards.
- South Africa NPC number: 202156434308
- South Africa PBO number: 930083674
- Switzerland Association number: CHE-267.237.565
Yes! We welcome input from young people, educators and community members. If you have ideas or want to collaborate, please reach out to us through our contact page. Your voice helps us keep our resources relevant and engaging.
Our resources are primarily designed for young people aged 10 to 18. Many tools, like the Love Land Board Game and training box, can also be adapted for adults such as educators, caregivers and community leaders.
Yes. We provide the Love Land Board Game and training box as hands-on tools that can be used offline in classrooms, workshops and community programs to create interactive and stigma-free learning experiences.
Love Land App
Knowledge at your fingertips with the free downloadable educational app.
Board Game
Play to break taboos with the
large-scale interactive game.
Learning Lab
Access guides and materials using
our interactive learning website.
