VIDEO OF OUR NEW ARENA
SOMEWHERE TO PLAY — THE SPORTS AND ARTS ARENA
We have built the new sports and performing arts arena, supported by a donation from The Property Race Day. It sits next to the Hope Park Children’s Health Campus and is a multi-functional facility for children and young people is the only one of its kind in Munsieville’s fast-growing informal settlement. It boasts a beautiful arts arena so that young performers can express themselves through dance, theatre and music.
IMPROVING HEALTH for all at HOPE PARK
Opened in 2017, Hope Park offers separate health posts for infants, young children and teenagers. Its Child Nutrition Centre is sponsored by law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. The health posts and community hall, sponsored by The Property Race Day, offer life-saving and life-enhancing services to children and young people. Stakeholders, such as the Department of Health, use the facility for vaccinations and workshops.
SAFETY — MAKING HOME A SAFER PLACE
Across South Africa, many children lose their lives in informal settlement fires. Since launching our home safety campaigns in Munsieville in 2013, very few lives have been lost in this way. Our campaigns include simple, cost-free steps to reduce the risk of fires such as hanging paraffin bottles up on hooks and placing a candle in sand in a glass jar. Safety workshops are held regularly at Hope Park.
A VOICE FOR CHILDREN — HOUSE OF YOUNG AMBASSADORS
The House of Young Ambassadors, a board of 30 to 40 young adults from the community aged between 11 and 18, acts as a link between the Thoughtful Path and the community. It works closely with our volunteers and has a final say in the projects that are developed. This ensures that children have a voice in the decision-making process and that all projects are in the best interests of the orphans and vulnerable children.
A MUCH NEEDED SANCTUARY AT THE CHILDREN’S EMBASSY
The Children’s Embassy is a place for children to come to when they feel they need our support or when they just need to relax in a happy, safe environment and talk to people who care about them. Many visitors seek advice concerning the rights of children to basic health, education and social services, particularly for those who do not have identity documents.
EARLY LEARNING — PREPARING CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL
When The Thoughtful Path was established in Munsieville in 2010, hundreds of pre-school children would spend their days in poor conditions, with no trained staff and no educational toys, books or play equipment. Now things have changed. We have delivered professional training to over 50 creche operators who now provide a high-quality service and the best preparation for success when children subsequently join school.
GROWING FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Malnutrition is a significant public health challenge in South Africa, particularly among young children. Lack of a nutritious diet affects a child’s mental and physical well-being, and impacts on their educational potential. Our food gardens provide healthy, fresh food and have been established in over 750 homes.
BARRIERS TO EDUCATION SMASHED
Our No Child Left Behind (NCLB) project runs successful pre-school classes for children from families who have no access to support services in South Africa. The teachers work with the children to help their development and prepare them for school and also assist the parents with the documents needed for school enrolment.
ALWAYS THERE FOR CHILDREN — BOTSHABELO CHILD CRISIS LINE
The Botshabelo Child Crisis Line is our 24/7 emergency call service for any children who need us, run by a community for its own children. The crisis line is operated from the Children’s Embassy by well-trained staff who live in Munsieville and have a detailed knowledge of the community as well as the services that are available for children who need help.
The Thoughtful Path Charity is an association incorporated under the South African Companies Act 2008
NPO number: 225-495 | PBO number: 93006156
Email us: avonblock@projecthopeuk.org