It’s the time of the year when the Jacaranda Tree at Hope House is in full bloom, the shops start displaying their Christmas decorations and gifts, organisations have markets and families start planning their festivities. This year things are different and instead of Hope House being abuzz with getting ready for market day, the residents are quietly following a normal routine. This year’s cancellation of Open Day is a sad and sombre time for us, i.e. residents, Trustees, staff and you –our loyal supporters - alike, as we all enjoy meeting up with our supporters and sharing a cup of tea and something delicious to eat in the garden. We also miss the financial support that comes with Open Day and the joy the residents have in selling their wares.

Hope House has been extremely lucky so far and the Staff and Residents have remained well and free from Covid 19. In the early days we reduced our staff intake and only had Sherezaan, our house-mother and Bonita, our Manager coming in to work. We are back to our full contingent making sure that ALL entering Hope House adhere to the government’s recommendations and follow the Covid 19 protocols. All the residents take turns to wash and dry dishes after meals, to do their laundry and are encouraged to offer help where needed.

Our skills therapist Sue has kept the residents busy during the last few months with various projects. They have created Mandalas using the brass rubbing method to make patterns and  used objects found around the home and garden to stamp patterns.  The Bee Gee’s rendition of “Ellan Vannin” (the unofficial anthem of the Isle of Man) prompted them to write their own poetry about Cape Town. Sue has also shared with them the uplifting quotes and poems from the book of Joy.   All the above has kept our residents stable and busy. Usually their art work and poetry would have been displayed in the gym.

Light relief and fun has come in the gift of 4 laying hens and a chicken coop. The residents take turns to let the chickens out and herd them back into their coop daily as well as collect the beautiful fresh eggs. The chickens have been named by the residents “kiepie 1, kiepie 2, kiepie 3 and kiepie 4 “!!!

With great excitement, Hope House’s new solar energy system is up and running. We are very grateful to the MacFarlane Family Foundation for their generous donation in making this possible. We hope, when the funds permit, to update our electrical appliances – most especially the many outdated and non-energy efficient fridges/freezers we rely on.  To this end and to maximise the benefit of the Macfarlane solar energy system we have started an Energy Efficiency Fundraiser to replace all old/non energy efficient items. With these new changes we should show substantial savings in our electrical costs. 

Please hang on to your books. If the Covid Virus is contained we hope to be able to have our book sale in the early months of next year. Obviously all precautions will be met and buyers entering the property will be carefully monitored.

Should you wish to send us a donation to assist us over this difficult time we would be highly appreciative (banking details are Hope House Trust, FNB Rondebosch code 201507 A/C 62021701009). Upon receipt we will provide you with our Public Benefit Organisation tax certificate, confirming that donations to Hope House are tax-deductible for the donor.

We would like to thank all our supporters who have stood by us over this difficult time from the Woolies Collectors, the family members, our auditors HVM, our Maintenance Man, Tom Fair and our accountant Sherry Groble and last but not least our loyal staff.

And finally, on behalf of the Trustees, staff and residents of Hope House I thank you for your continued interest in Hope House. We also take this opportunity of wishing you good health and happiness over the coming festive season.