Our Corona Response
As soon as we heard about COVID – 19 in South Africa, we understood that urgent decisions needed to be made. We had to respond to a rapidly changing situation. On the 25th March, the board members held a special meeting to address all the issues.
First, every caregiver had to learn more about the virus and the precautionary measures we should take to protect everyone. One of the schools announced that all learners were required to wear gloves, which we did not have, so, we decided that for the girls’ safety we should keep them home. It was lucky that they had finished their 1st term exams by then. Some of our staff had to stop coming to work to ensure everyone stayed safe. The work itself could not stop; we had to continue to run the organisation with the few that were left.
Life under Lockdown
When the President announced the 21 Day Lockdown, we had to think on our feet and act fast! We managed to source extra chronic medications from the clinics so that we would not run out. All the children have been taking multivitamins to keep their immune systems strong.
Our Home of Hope Outreach Team became our essential lifeline when the lockdown kicked in. We were fortunate that we could depend on them to collect food and essentials and deliver them to us to keep the houses running.
Many of you have rang or emailed to check in on us; it means a lot. It has been really humbling to know that even during this time, which is so difficult for everyone, that people still take time to think of us and keep us in their prayers.
Making lemonade out of lemons!
As we mentioned in the last newsletter, due to an electrical fire in the Cyrildene house, we needed a total rewiring of the house - no small job - it was completed just before the lockdown … phew! When we consider how much more difficult lockdown would be without electricity, we are really grateful for this.
The children are all around the house for such a long time now not going to school. This is longest ‘holiday’ we have ever had in our twenty years of existence! It is a challenge. We have devised a daily program which includes time for studying, play time, exercising, teaching different skills, keeping the garden beautiful and the book club.
Usually, the girls from our two homes get together weekly. They have never gone this long without seeing each other and they miss one another very much. They started exchanging letters between our two homes. This lockdown, although a time of hardship for the country, has given us time to bond even stronger as a family.
Education never stops
Our Matriculants haven’t stopped working hard preparing for their exams. They have used this time to stay ahead in their syllabus, as they are aware of the time constraints and the pressure they will be faced with when the schools are reopened.
Our Home of Hope girls, who are now university students, help with home schooling the younger ones to keep their academic standard on the right level. It has been very easy to identify children who are struggling with schoolwork during this time. It is a welcome opportunity to help them; we are grateful that this is happening.
We are also proud to say that Mam Khanyi taught the girls how to make their own face masks 😉
Our superheroes - our knights in shining armour!
As you know, our work extends beyond our two homes and into the communities where the most vulnerable need help. Our efforts include helping children who are being sexually abused, children who are the heads of households, children whose carers are afflicted by disease, or alcohol and drugs, and young single mothers. Our Outreach Team has been working tirelessly throughout the lockdown in order to ensure that our beneficiaries have all the essentials they need. Their dedication and selflessness are incredible.
Our Team distribute donations from good-hearted people and organisations to those who need it most. Our homes could not take in anyone during this lockdown but our outreach team continue working hard. They succeeded in supporting fifteen girls who urgently needed help. With great difficulty, they managed to get the girls out of their situation and into accommodation. Every step we take that makes even one girl or woman safe is worth celebrating, so, we are especially thankful for this achievement.
A big THANK YOU also goes to our country’s essential service employees who have been risking their lives in order to serve the nation every day!
Light at the end of the tunnel
We are just praying and hoping that after the pandemic South Africa will see the light at the end of the tunnel. In Home of Hope, we have learnt to thank God and be grateful that we are part of a big family that can take care of each other - even during the very worst of times. Our supporters are really part of the Home of Hope family. Because of you, from the first day of lockdown to date the children have never gone to bed hungry. We really appreciate your support and generosity; you are the people who help us to continue providing a better future for each child in our care.
If you have lost work, we hope that our nation’s recovery includes you getting back on your feet soon. We hope that you and all those dear to you stay safe and well.
Thank you for caring,
Love from all at Home of Hope
“I told myself … the struggle is on, let us dance with life” Khanyisele Motsa
We are running full-time residential care for almost 80 girls, and without your support we could not survive. We always need the things below, and so, every little you can spare is important to us.
- Pre-paid electricity
- Groceries and household goods
- Financial support and sponsorship for education and training of individual girls
- Fuel for the outreach team’s bakkie
info@hopehome.org.za
www.homeofhope.org.za
081 336 7775
010 900 0855
