Leaving a legacy of goodness
Standing proudly in front of a small cluster of buildings that constitutes Hope in Christ Mission, the Pienaar family understand they are a lifeline to eight children, mostly robbed of the chance to experience normal childhood.
The legacy of Sarah Holland lives on through the dedication of her family.
More than five years after fire destroyed the Hope in Christ Children’s Home, Andrew and Jo-Ann Pienaar have rebuilt upon the physical and emotional foundations left behind.
Their journey from tragedy to hope has been a difficult one.
Standing proudly in front of a small cluster of buildings that constitutes Hope in Christ Mission, the Pienaar family understand they are a lifeline to eight children, mostly robbed of the chance to experience normal childhood.
It took time for the Pienaars to realise why Sarah founded the Hope in Christ organisation.
The love displayed by the children, including Mother’s Day letters to Jo-Ann and a little boy proclaiming his love for Andrew, convinced the Pienaar family they were on the right path.
“Normally children take time to emerge from their shells but these youngsters love it here. Sometimes people don’t see the good we are doing.”
Andrew and Jo-Ann said God saw them as building stones, given a mission to change young lives from the “upside down way of living, where they miss school and waste their brilliant minds”.
In this way, the cycle of children not being loved or cared for is broken.
And while the next President may well be entering the doors of Hope in Christ home today, the looming matter of funding constraints remain a constant threat to the organisation.
Andrew is now visiting companies, requesting any pledges toward keeping the mission afloat.
“We don’t want to turn kids away so we need funding. It’s about quality of life – if there is no money, the children lose out.”
Working on something of a shoestring budget, the mission home is nevertheless enclosed with an electric fence, boasts a reservoir and pump in case of a fire, a small entertainment area for children to kick back and a full CCTV system.
In future, a second home will be erected to accommodate more children.
The Pienaar family called on businesses and corporate entities to become cogs in the wheels of change, simultaneously inviting prospective investors to visit the home for themselves.
“I have been off work for 18 months, working here for free because I believe God wants me to. It’s all worth it at the end of the day, and I’m working harder now than I ever did.”
Explaining the core of their care system, the Pienaars said reading the Bible and praying with the children instilled values in them, while a chore system meant teaching the children responsibility without creating slaves.
“We work a 16-hour day but don’t regret it. I feel happy to see happy children and know this is a success.”
As the demand for safe havens for local children increases, it is apparent the mission of Hope in Christ is dependent on the involvement of others.
Despite uncertainty, the Pienaar family are up to the challenge.“ God will bless this place to blossom and it has already.”
To become involved with the organisation or for further information, visit the Hope in Christ Facebook page or visit www.hopeinchrist.org.za
