 Where we are
Who we are
What else we do
Huis Betanië
Huis Nasaret
Huis Luigi
Child sponsorship
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As our project is still in its early stages our focus is to secure vital and necessary funding for facilities and initiating programmes as we are entirely dependant on local and international, private and public charitable donations.
We have completed a substantial part of the preparation and building works of this multi-phase and multi-purpose project and have received several donations. We have had to provide essential services and utilities for the entire site, build a surrounding wall and undertake major earthworks. Drainage, storm water management, sewerage systems and some electrical installations, amongst others the relocation of an electrical substation, were undertaken. With Oudtshoorn situated in a semi-desert region, it was necessary to sink a borehole. We now have our own water supply which we hope will sustain:
- A Play Fountain;
- A Meditation Garden;
- The Organic Kitchen Garden;
- The Herb and Flower Garden;
- as well as irrigation for the hundreds of trees that have been planted and the sportfields that already exist.
We have also built a large duck pond and have received numerous donations of ducks and geese. We are now the proud owners of two black swans, several turkeys, peacocks, chickens, egg-laying hens and ducks and a rich variety of wild fine-feathered friends.
A Pergola for extra shade — essential in Oudtshoorn extreme heat - has also been constructed: Afternoon lessons and activities are fun here.
We are working on a feasibility study for a Green Centre and we are looking at:
- Waste reduction - avoid, reduce, re-use and recycle;
- Practising energy efficiency (saving);
- Water conservation
- Solar energy;
- Giving preference to environmental best practises;
- Focusing on community development and environmental sustainability;
- Poverty alleviation;
- Leaving a positive legacy;
- and establishing a "Green Youth Team".
All this to create an oasis for the children in the heart of a poverty-stricken and neglected township and to help the children of Bridgton, every day, for real!
Also...
The Chapel
We believe that God has called us to bring His goodness and love to the poorest, the most vulnerable in our community, those who have been left behind and seldom have a voice, ‘Suffer little children to come unto Me…’. All our work with the children springs from and culminates in prayer and worship and the need for a chapel is central. We believe that exposing people to beauty brings into focus Paul’s injunction to ‘...raise yourselves to the things above, where Christ is’, especially when contrasted with the daily reality of ugliness, crime, violence and harsh poverty. We sincerely hope to build an exquisite chapel to the greater glory of God and the sanctification of his little ones.
The Amphiteatre
A natural amphitheatre forms part of the gorge on our site where we would like to construct an open-air theatre. This is where children can learn to interact, share, entertain and express themselves through music, dance and theatre. A large aspect of our Youth Programme will be drama and having the Amphitheatre is vital.
Oudtshoorn hosts an annual Arts Festival and having the amphitheatre creates another performing stage for the many artists that come to our town for this event - this will bring in much needed revenue as it will be unique and an authentic Township Venue, bringing the arts to the poorer communities too.
Community Outreach
Our township community is very downtrodden and trapped in the hopeless cycle of drunkenness, unemployment, and despair. We are deeply concerned about these problems, and are looking at how best to help and we have already set some programmes into motion and some of these include:
- Enumeration - with this information we will properly assess the needs and ways in which we can help the community.
- Help with legal aspects which prevent people from accessing grants that they are entitled to.
- Care for HIV/AIDS patients and support for their families.
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
- Setting up Safety Houses where children can go to for refuge in the evenings and on weekends.
- Transport to and from the local hospitals.
Establishing a rural base on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn with the aim to have a small nursery school and aftercare facility for children and youth. This project will be run in partnership with “Bittersoet” Farm and volunteers from within the farming communities of the area.
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Ways to give
Contact us for more information about volunteering with us
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