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 a Christian based home 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.

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

Please find projected  costs at bottom of page.

Budget for Proposed Orphanage/Safe House


Capital Investment                    South African Rand        United States Dollars

Purchase price                                        R2,500,000                         $357,143

Closing costs                                             R100,000                            $14,286

Renovation                                                R350,000                            $50,000

Furniture & Fixtures                                    R500,000                            $71,429

Vehicles                                                     R200,000                            $28,571

TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT               R3,650,000                          $521,429


APPROXIMATE MONTHLY OPERATING EXPENSE                              $10,000

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

The Lost Children of Masiphumelele


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 negative stigma attached to HIV/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.

 

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



Bill and Anne Eames




The following budget is only preliminary and subject to change, but we believe it accurately reflects costs associated with this project.  While we have absolute faith that God can and will provide the necessary funds when they are needed, we also know that we have a responsibility to do our part 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 let us know by emailing us at: baeames@iafrica.com


 

Through a set of miraculous circumstances God has brought across our path a young couple who are beginning the process of relocating their family to Australia and they have only just recently listed their remarkable property, which backs up to Masiphumelele, for sale. With very little work we could easily adapt their five living spaces into separate homes with one or two adults and 4 or 5 children in each.  The children could live in individual family-size units and perhaps come together for an evening meal and other large group functions. There is a large play area in back (protected from the streets and neighbors) which already has a climbing structure, a tree house, a play house and much more.  We have looked at other properties, but nothing  else even comes close.

 

There is still much to be done before we can open our doors to the needy children of Masiphumelele.  Nevertheless, we have heard God’s call and we are committed to making this dream a reality.


We are excited about what God is doing in the Cape Town area of South Africa 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 as many others of you who wish to make an impact on the lives of lost children.