The House of Hope

pic1Bloemfontein, South Africa
Bloemfontein sits high on the plateau in the heart of South Africa . It is an attractive city which welcomes tourists, but like all other South African cities, it has its poverty, a legacy from apartheid.
House of Hope, as it is now called, is a derelict looking warehouse on the outskirts of Bloemfontein just where the townships begin. It stands in a dusty, barren area surrounded by a stark, wire fence. Inside the shelter, which doubles up as the local church, lives a small, caring community. There are 36 children, ranging in age from tots to teens, and there are a handful of hard working adults who look after them and maintain the building as best they can. The couple that run the shelter, Victor and Fransina, live in their own house not far away.
Belinda Goodship (Grand-daughter of Mr Reg Goodship) and Philip Lack (Grandson of Esme And Gordon Lack) are taking part, with 9 other students from Biddenham Upper School, in a trip in July 2006 to go to House of Hope and work in the orphanage to improve the conditions that they live in.  Last year the students that travelled there raised £11,000 which enabled them to completely revamp all of the boys and girls dormitories including painting, carpeting and purchasing new bunkbeds, mattresses and bedding.

pic2As you can see, there is still a lot to be done and it is to this end that Phil and Belinda have embarked on a series of fundraising events across the local area in order to raise the necessary funds to carry out this work

If there is anyone out there who would like to make a donation, please send a cheque (payable to Biddenham Upper School) marked for the attention of Mr. Wright, Hope House Appeal, Biddenham Upper School, Biddenham Turn, Bedford MK40 4AZ.

 

 For further information please contact Phil Lack – 01234 871454 or Belinda Goodship – 01234 359781.

 

PLEASE support these events by donating items or simply by attending!  Our first two events are: