Home of Hope is a non-profit organisation that cares for abused and abandoned children in South Africa who suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) – permanent brain damage caused by pre-natal exposure to alcohol.
The organisation believes that every child has the right to reach their full potential. Home of Hope’s approach is holistic and tailored to the individual needs of each child in their care.
They also provide a loving and stable home environment, address the child’s emotional and therapeutic needs and also facilitate their schooling – be that in a mainstream or their special needs school, Amathemba – the first and only school in South Africa catering to children with FASD.
Their work has a long-term, sustainable impact by equipping children with essential life and social skills and encouraging their integration into the local community in which they live.
However, they need a little help to invest in the future of these many young adults with FASD and other special needs. With a vision of ‘a brighter future for every child’, the organisation has started a new project. Anselm farm is an extension and integral part of their Living Life project.
The organisation is buying this property as its positive impact on young adults with special needs has been very clear. “This is a place where our young adults will be protected and will have a place where they belong. A safe place where they are understood and fully supported along the way”, says Home of Hope.
“The first million has kindly been donated by the Christie Foundation who together with us believe in this project. Now we need your help to raise the remaining R2,5 million to complete the purchase of Anselm farm.”
Anselm Farm is a skills development program, a home and a place of safety for special needs young adults who have nowhere else to go.
“Without Anselm Farm, our youth are left unskilled, vulnerable and alone without any guidance to becoming socially responsible independent adults. We have found the perfect answer for our young adults, however, we need your help to finance it and raise the money to buy the farm.”
If they do not reach their goal for the farm, the organisation will lose the farm. “This leaves many special needs young adults without the help they desperately need. This leaves them vulnerable to secondary disabilities such as homelessness, drugs, abuse and suicide. As an organisation, we want to help the most vulnerable and the only way we can do this is by preventing this.”
“By helping fund Anselm Farm, you are enabling us to provide a safe place where young adults with special needs have a fair future and the assurance that they are loved and cared for. The security of family and the joy of knowing they belong. You are taking hands with them as they embark on a journey of learning how to build healthy relationships, make friends, how to self-manage and advocate for themselves, how to live in a household and manage a budget and most importantly how to care for themselves, for nature and those around them.”
For more information on this project visit: https://youtu.be/cNe4Tn_T2jQ
If you would kindly like to donate, click here.
Also read:
WATCH: Local film exposes the impact of mining activity along the West Coast
Picture: Facebook / Home of Hope