Fountain of Hope

Baphumelele Fountain of Hope is a newly established project which aims to provide young people aged 18-21, who have been raised in residential care or who have recently been orphaned or who are vulnerable, with a safe and nurturing environment, a new skill set including food security, and educational support enabling them to build a positive future for themselves as self-sufficient adults. 

Located on around a hectare of farmland on Schaapkraal Road in the Philippi Horticultural area, on the Cape Flats, the farm now hosts 20 young people both male and female in temporary residential buildings. Supported by a small team, the youth are being assisted back to school or into vocational training, as well as taking part in programs dedicated to building up their independent living skills. Recent sessions including life skills, career guidance, equine therapy and sports participation.

As food security is such an important issue in this country, 2 acres of land has been planted with vegetables including spinach, beetroot, turnips, cabbage and herbs. A team of trainee gardeners look after the land, using organic and permaculture principles. The hope is to provide vegetables for all the Baphumelele projects as well as sell direct to the local community.

The need for this type of support is very great in this community, and the aim to eventually host up to 50 young people . As it is a new project, the current group of youth are being housed in temporary buildings but there are plans to build permanent accommodation as well as training and counselling rooms, and areas dedicated to vocational training including catering and woodwork.

For the latest update and further details, please do contact Rosie.