Africa's Orphans

Currently there is only one orphanage located in or near Masiphumelele and this facility is designed for older children only and they live in dormitories, which can be dangerous places for kids. In addition, it is over-crowded and there is a waiting list to get in. Bottom line, there is no place for young orphans. There is no safe place for children to escape abuse or abandonment. And there is no place where these children will hear the Word of God. The local churches are doing as much as they can, given their limited resources and the difficulties their members face in simply surviving from day to day in Masiphumelele. The reality is that the task is simply too large and too costly for them to have any significant impact.

After much prayer and consideration, we believe that God is leading us to step into this void and establish Christian based homes for young children, a place where they will be safe and loved and brought up in a God-honoring way which will help break the vicious cycle of abuse, drugs, alcohol, promiscuous sex, HIV, AIDS and death, which has gripped this nation for far too long.

Through a set of miraculous circumstances God has brought across our path a couple of women who have established a number of safe houses in other poor communities and they were looking for someone to spearhead a project in Masiphumelele. With relatively little expense we could easily build block homes for 1-2 Christian adults and 5-7 children in each. However, we must first find the funds and the right plots of land, which currently cost about $15,000 each.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to hear what God has laid on our hearts.

We are excited about what God is doing here and we feel privileged and blessed to be used by Him in this challenging new way. During the months to come we look forward to working alongside indigenous pastors and with as many others of you who wish to make an impact on the lives of lost children.

While we have absolute faith that God can and will provide the funds when they are needed, we also know that we have a responsibility in making our needs known wherever and whenever we get the opportunity.

If you would like to become involved in this project or would like more information, please email us at: baeames@iafrica.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please pray with us about this important undertaking.

In His Name,

Bill and Anne

The Township of Masiphumelele, located about 45 minutes south of Cape Town, South Africa, and less than 5 minutes from our home, has an estimated population of 40,000 living in poorly constructed shacks. Governmental statistics proclaim that approximately 35% of these people are HIV+. However, those who work in this township believe that the actual figure is over 50% and rising. While anti-retro viral (ARV) drugs are available, free of charge from the government, a small minority of those infected actually use the drugs. This is because there is such a stigma attached to AIDS, that many refuse to even be tested.

As a direct result of many years of this “turning a blind eye” to the problem, there are now hundreds, maybe even thousands, of children in Masiphumelele who are at great risk. Many are HIV+ themselves and don’t know it. Many more have been orphaned because their parents have succumbed to this terrible disease. And still many more are being deserted or abandoned or mistreated by parents who are too sick to look after them or sometimes even to care.

A Christian job creation ministry empowering the disadvantaged and those suffering from HIV/AIDS in South Africa

In 2009 we established African Hope Trust, a South African Public Benefit Trust, which is now accepting funds to be used in building our safe homes. Our trustees are Bill, Pastor Diba of The Masiphumelele Baptist Church, Trish Holgate, a South African social worker specializing in children (who also sells jewelry at weekend markets for us), and Don Sayers, a missionary friend working with Extreme Response Canada in this area.

Now that the two lots next to Pastor Diba’s Church (photo right) have been purchased, we are onto the next phase: raising an additional $40,000 to build the first house, which we hope to start in August or September. If you know of anyone who might be interested in helping, please e-mail this page to them. And for those who are ready to help, we ask that you use the form and mailing instructions found by clicking here. In the meantime, please pray with us that construction will proceed and that little ones in need will be enjoying a safe and loving home before Christmas.

(Note: the green section below contains the most recent information.)