Hotel Hope, the charity that currently loves and looks after 37 abandoned or orphaned babies and children, is going from strength to strength despite dwindling services from the city.
Last August a fifth home was opened in Newlands to accommodate ever-increasing numbers of babies who needed help.
That house has been all but shut down as water and electricity services are too erratic for carers to maintain the level of care Hotel Hope is determined to provide.
Read more: Hotel Hope opens fifth home for abandoned or orphaned babies and children
The children and their carers have been absorbed into the other homes until funds can be raised to buy a JoJo tank for water and solar panels.
“The solar panels on the other houses only help for a few hours but it is usually enough to get us through short outages. For longer ones, it is still problematic but we make do,” says founder Oliver Quambusch.
Only two of the five properties have JoJo tanks.
Also read: Hotel Hope wrapped in love by 67 Blankets for Mandela
He describes having water interruptions as the worst of the ills. “We have so many little ones who need to bathe and have clean clothes and a hot meal, so the Newlands house for now is not accommodating any children.”
Their youngest, a little girl, was given up for adoption immediately after birth and has found herself in the middle of a family who truly loves her as if she was destined to meet them.
Sihle Mooi, CEO of Hotel Hope, has been in the role for 10 months now and describes his journey as ‘extraordinary’.
“This funding model has proven itself over several years for Hotel Hope and it continues to deliver. It is a revenue stream that could be rolled out in so many different ways, and for non-profits that are struggling it is something to look into.”
Costs associated with running such a large operation come in part from the innovative fundraising model Quambusch implemented when he launched Hotel Hope Interiors. It is an ever-changing offering of fine furniture, exquisitely upholstered furniture and other décor and household items for sale.
A second shop has recently opened – just a few steps from the first – called Resurrection. This store is packed with the kinds of items any household might benefit from at unbeatable costs. Clothing, furniture, kitchen gadgets, children’s games, jewellery and more can be bought for a bargain in this thrifting dream location.
“In the past many people were embarrassed to buy things second-hand but in this economy, it is becoming more and more not only acceptable for people, but essential,” says Mooi.
Related article: Hotel Hope thrives as it embraces workaround’ to cover for failing city services
