Hope Park catches Rotary DG’s eye
Port Shepstone Rotary is to apply for a Rotary International Global Grant of $30 000 to help develop Hope Park in Marburg.
HOPE Park in Marburg now has the backing of Rotary’s District Governor, Tom McGhee, as a candidate for a Rotary International Global Grant worth $30 000.
At current exchange rates, that is close to a whopping R500 000.
The DG (who heads up hundreds of Rotary clubs) paid an annual visit to various South Coast clubs last week and was taken on a tour of Hope Park by Port Shepstone president Jim Docherty.
The 10ha park is the brainchild of Pastor Reggie John and his team (including representatives from Port Shepstone Rotary and the Herald).
When first surveyed by Pastor John, Ivan Naidoo and Bevis Fairbrother about two years ago, it was basically wild bush and swamp land in the middle of the suburb of Marburg.
But the trio saw the potential and, thanks to the tireless efforts of Pastor John, it has now become a reality. Mayor Cynthia Mqwebu became a patron and Hibiscus Coast Municipality leased the land to Hope Park. Many sponsors came on board and even the local community rallies around on Saturday mornings to help clear away alien invaders and such.
Now, two years later, the park is already a gem with roads leading to shady picnic spots, indigenous trees and gardens planted, bird viewing decks overlooking dams, farm animal pen, a jungle gym and swings for children.
But Pastor John and his team are determined not to stop there. They have visions of an amphitheater able to house 2 000 people, ablution facilities and much more.
At present, Hope relies on help from individuals, businesses and community organisations like Rotary, but the goal is to become self-sufficient.
Security is a big issue and, with the help of a possible global grant from Rotary International, perhaps Hope will be able to afford fencing.
Port Shepstone Rotary is no stranger to success with applications for such grants. It recently spent R350 000 on building 10 creches at Mansfield Mission in partnership with Ziphakamise.
Addressing Rotarians at a dinner at the Port Shepstone Country Club last Tuesday, DG McGhee said he was absolutely blown away by the size of the Hope Park project as well as the enthusiasm by Pastor John and his team.
“It definitely deserves a Global Grant.” He urged the Port Shepstone Rotarians to get the wheels in motion as soon as possible.
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