The Hope Centre

It started with a dream ...

Together we build ...

Today Zolani has a Skill Centre.

In the poorest part of Zolani Township in Ashton, Western Cape, South Africa, Pastor Fanie Tshoto started in a derelict building a church (the Apostolic  Faith Mission Church). His intention was to give people a positive outlook in their lives. Of the approximate 6 500 people in this township 80% live below the poverty data line. There is only work in the fruit picking season when the lucky ones get a chance to work for 3 months in a local canning factory. For the rest of the year there is no work.

In a dream Fanie saw how wonderful it would be to have a place where adults could learn a trade, enabling them to look after themselves. When he came into contact with Gerard Velthuizen (chairman of the Conkim Foundation and director of housing corporation Woonwijze in Vught, the Netherlands) the dream became reality. Gerard gave Fanie his word that he would build him a Skill Centre.

The building was designed in the Netherlands and Han Gunst, living in nearby Montagu and previously an employee of Gerard, would be the project leader. Four large Dutch sponsors were found to finance the 280 m2 building, costing just over R1 million. Christo van Heerden a local builder, laid the foundation and the floors and trained 7 local people during this process to become building workers.

From the period 14 March to 12 May 2009 four teams of Dutch volunteers arrived in Zolani to build the Skill Centre with local people. These volunteers were employees of the four largest sponsors, i.e. the Municipality of Rheden in the Netherlands, Housing Corporation Woonwijze in Vught, Housing Corporation Woonpartners in Helmond and Housing Corporation Stek in Hillegom. As the last Dutch team leaves South Africa, nearly two-third of the building is finished. The 7 local builders together with Christo van Heerden and his men from JCI Montagu complete the last part of the building. On 23 September the key can be handed over to a very proud Fanie Tshoto and on 5 December the building is officially opened with festivities in the presence of Dutch and local people.

That is when Fanie's real work started. The Hope Centre is managed and mantained exclusively by local black residents. The money they make is used to pay the staff and the surplus is invested into new projects. Currently The Hope Centre employs 8 people full-time, and 4 people part-time. The 7 people trained as builders are able to financially support themselves and their families.