It’s early in the morning. A beautiful day after the huge storms in Cape Town on Monday. The birds are chattering away and there is a peaceful quietness about. A suitable day for Hope House’s birthday.

In October 2000 Hope House was registered as a charitable Trust and thereafter as a non-profit organization. In December 2001 our dream was realized and we bought Hope House.

I remember on this day in 2002, our first three residents were moving into Hope House. They were Renee Rode, Rebecca (Becki) Thornton and Lindsay Mackintosh. Those of you that support Hope House in so many different ways will know them.  They have become firm friends and speak of their closeness as that of sisters. They love Hope House and call it their home. We now have our full quota of residents and a waiting list. It has been a wonderful 18 years offering our residents friendships, support and, an independence they might not otherwise have enjoyed.

Over the years we have had much support from so many people in so many different ways. Since our last newsletter Rotary Newlands upgraded our pool filter system to a very smart Multi- cyclone Filter, Jeremy of Water Rhapsody donated a water rhapsody pump, Stitches, a sewing group of ladies at Woodside Village gave us funds to attach a pump to our large water tank, and Francie Meyer donated masks. We have also received many monetary donations which we are most grateful for.

In 2019 we had our first Booksale at Hope House and not in Claremont as before. With the help of Lizette Nash and other supporters we were able to set up tables in the gym and outside on the patio. Supporters travelled from further afield to buy books and we made R13,560.00. At the end of the year we hosted our Open Day – an event which celebrates what the residents have achieved in artwork and the crafts which they make. A beautiful Christmas cake donated by Billy and James Salmon was sold and a special Magnum of wine from Rose and Malcolm Prew donated. These funds as well as the donations made at the different stalls, the tea garden and bookstall as well as the booksale allowed us to buy a much needed and strong pool cover for the pool as well as upgrading Sherezaan (our house-mothers)’s bathroom.                  

Little were we to know what lay ahead.  

To say we are proud of our residents is an understatement. The Covid-19 Virus came as a shock to all and Hope House has been in almost complete lockdown since. The residents are coping brilliantly. Sherezaan has held the fort acting in all the ways a Mum would, caring for the residents and remaining bright and cheerful, making delicious meals as well as interacting well with the residents. Bonita our Manager has gone in to support her 4 x a week in the afternoons, playing games with the residents and reminding them of the new rules. These new procedures have become a habit which is encouraging. Masks are worn and regular hand-washing is monitored, temperatures are taken regularly. 

Sue, our skills therapist comes in as before lock down. Her choice of regular music videos and poetry have been uplifting, cheerful and positive. Art projects have included bright colourful collages and patterned artwork. More recently they started an online Mandala course (kindly donated by Betty Solomon). This is a wonderful process and residents who participated found it calming and peaceful. Time has also been spent in the garden and slips of “Spekboom” have been potted and, when planted, will be our contribution to the environment. The residents have made sandwiches weekly for those in need.

To reduce the risk of catching the virus, private transport has been provided for our Hope House family. Sadly, the domestic staff Belinda, Charmaine, and Stanley all use public transport so we cannot allow them to return to work but they remain on our salary schedule.

Credit must also be given to the residents who have also on their own account kept busy, cycling in the gym each morning, making masks (With Sue’s help) and Renee even compiled a song about the virus. (Should you wish to hear her song let me know and I will send it to your cell.)  

Recently the Trustees purchased a gas hob for the kitchen, much enjoyed by Sherezaan after struggling on an old stove for many years. 

However, we do have something very exciting to look forward to……Hope House has been invited to apply for a solar heating grant from the MacFarlane Family Foundation and we hope to hear about a successful outcome very shortly.

We thank the many supporters of Hope House Trust. Whether it is the Woolies Collection ladies who have continued to collect the food from Woolworths during the lock down, the family members who have donated towards our extra costs especially the private transport for our staff or the large and small monetary donors who continue to support us. We thank our auditors HVM, our Maintenance Man, Tom Fair and our accountant Sherry Grobler. We thank our staff, Sue, Bonita, Sherezaan, Charmaine, Belinda, Leticia and Stanley. I as chairperson would like to thank my Trustees for their support and encouragement over this difficult time.

Sadly, this year we will be unable to have our regular and trusted annual fundraisers; i.e. the Book sale, the Soiree, Open Day, and the planned bridge drive. And this at a time where we are in need of funds to setup a COVID 19 Isolation Room (and all that goes with that), for the probable situation of an infection at some point. Should you wish to send us a donation 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.

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 over this difficult period.