Quarter One of 2019
Although we are just a few months into the new year, already Home of Hope is bustling with news!
School Report
Every single girl passed 2018; we are very proud of them! As a supporter, you made this possible, so you can feel proud too!
When their sisters went to school, children who remained at home pined for them and the mood at home was a little gloomy, but on the first school day of 2019, 80% of the children were registered and enrolled. When everyone got dressed for school and ready to go, the enthusiasm and energy were tangible! For this, special thanks are due to the Department of Education who assisted us getting the remaining children enrolled.
Also, thanks to the Acting Principal of Cyrildene Primary School who heard our story and responded compassionately, ensuring that our girls were accepted and embraced by their new school.
A portion of the school fees have already been paid but there remains R241 000 outstanding of the total R252 000 and we are actively working to raise funds to meet this debt. Thank you to everybody for big and small contributions this year, even candle sales – all of which subsidised the first portion of the registration and school fees.
School Bus
When asked what was wrong with the bus, Mam Khanyi answered ‘EVERYTHING!’, but now, thanks to Dave who paid - EVERYTHING is fixed, and we are in great shape for the daily multiple school runs. Thank you, Dave!
Welcome Our New Team Members
We feel blessed to have dedicated people on the Home of Hope team. They make a priceless contribution, providing the necessary skills to keep things running smoothly.
For now, 75% of the team members are volunteers who receive stipends as and when possible, but we hope that this will change; we want to appoint them on a full-time basis as soon as circumstances permit.
We welcome social worker Asanda Ntantiso and office administrators Nokhutula Ntuli and Mzuvukile Mqweba to the team.
Because the support team do what they do, Mam Khanyi can focus on other important aspects of HoH work, such as: outreach, rescue, education, rehabilitation, as well as the all-important role of being there for the girls.
Valuable Training
HoH staff attended training: Fire & Candle Safety (fire prevention) and First Aid. This two-day course was offered by the City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety. Our special thanks go to Dineo, the Disaster Management team and City of Johannesburg Emergency Services, for presenting it. Dineo will return to present the course to all the children later in the year.
Time for a Treat
Early in February, the board of trustees hosted a meet-and-greet braai with the girls. It was a special day, full of warmth and laughter. For each of the individual children, there was a certificate of congratulations for their success in the previous year and wishes for their further success and happiness in 2019. The day was full of dance, song and music and there was a real sense of celebration as everyone chatted and feasted together in the garden. A truly beautiful cake marked the occasion and it tasted just as good as it looked.
Youth for the Youth
Late in 2018, Mikara Naidoo celebrated her 30
th birthday with friends by making sandwiches and a packed lunch for the HoH girls. For Christmas 2018, she expanded her circle of friends and they visited Home of Hope with fifty brand-new pairs of school shoes and stationary for the new year.
We thank Mikara and her friends for the inspiration of giving and helping in new and creative practical and do-able ways!
Go Sibongiseni!
NIA is a therapeutic movement practice which combines dance, martial arts and mindfulness. Peer Educator, Sibongiseni was awarded the White Belt (first level of a training series in NIA) in January. Her training was sponsored by NIA and undertaken at Studio Kairos with Susan Sloan.
With her new qualification, Sibongiseni now teaches NIA to her HoH family and going forward, she has a great chance for a livelihood as a NIA instructor.
Homework Volunteers
Part of the reason why our girls do so well at school is that homework is prioritised in HoH. We really appreciate those who have given their time to guide and support the girls over the years. Once again, we need volunteers for both primary and high school students in all areas. If you can assist in this rewarding and important task, please email Rachel at
mandela@hopehome.org.za
A Little Reflection from Mam
Leader’s Quest is an organisation which works with leaders from business, government and civil society to catalyse social change, Mam Khanyi was invited to India in 2015 and she recently reflected on her experience.
The participants were told to do a drawing of anything at all … ‘Draw the stars, it would be the easiest,’ she thought, but when she started, she realised she couldn’t draw a star, ‘the moon!’ she thought, and proceeded. Based on comments from others and looking at her completed drawing she realised she was the only person who recognised that it was the moon. This was a profound insight for Mam:
‘It doesn’t matter what others see or cannot see - what matters is what is inside - and only you can see what is inside!’
Food for thought
People often comment on the lovely atmosphere in HoH, and how the girls have such positive outlooks and loving attitudes despite all they have been through. This is something that is consciously developed by the HoH ethos. Gratitude is encouraged and the past is never used to cop out on the present. If it could be summed up it might be:
‘Knowing where we come from, we are deeply grateful for the life we have. We have very caring people in our lives and so, we give no space for negativity, and we take our strength from one another.’
Message from Mam Khanyi
Sometimes we are so busy with the girls and running the houses, that we might not get a chance to thank everyone individually, but we want you to know that we really do appreciate your support and your friendship. We hope that if you have been out of touch for a while you might reconnect with us, and if you have any ideas please do let us know.
