LEBO MJANGAZE
Guardians of Hope, a place of safety for abandoned and vulnerable babies in East London, is appealing to businesses to consider sponsoring a lifeline of R8,000 a month towards a child.
This monthly amount covers everything from food, nappies, formula, and clothing to medical care, education, therapy, and a loving, secure environment. For many of the babies and toddlers at Guardians of Hope, this home is the first safe space they’ve ever known. The organisation also works on tracing and reuniting children with biological families where possible, says the cost of specialised care is rising.
The demand for placements at Guardians of Hope, meanwhile, has not slowed down.
“It has been incredibly difficult to raise funds.
“Donor fatigue is real, and we understand that many are stretched.
“But each sponsor brings a life-changing impact to a child,” Gezelle Ihlenfeldt, who helps run the home, said.
“It gives them not only their basic needs but the dignity of being cared for.”
Since 2018, Guardians of Hope has cared for more than 150 abandoned, abused, and neglected children in Buffalo City and currently they provide refuge for 30 children.
Given zoning disputes with the municipality, the home relocated to Belgravia Crescent in 2023 but this move cut into the pool of sponsors they had built up.
This was exacerbated in January 2024 when Guardians of Hope was almost forced to close down by the department of social development (DSD) due to lagging registration.
Three months later, registration for Guardians of Hope was finally approved however the tension between the department and the NPO also ate into donor confidence.
The R8,000 businesses would be donating is tax-deductible and sponsors will receive regular updates on the impact their donations are making in the life of the child.
“Together, we can give hope to the children who need it most,” Ihlenfeldt said.
The work done by Guardians of Hope is lifesaving for vulnerable children given that as recently as April 2, a newborn baby was found dead on eastern Beach in Quigney — an unfortunate fate that is spared the children who are brought to Guardians of Hope.
“The infant still had its umbilical cord attached and a placenta was also found in the bag,” police spokesperson Captain Hazel Mqala said. An inquest docket has been opened.
To mitigate any such occurrences from happening again our city you can support Guardians of Hope by following their Facebook page, Guardians of Hope SA or emailing them at: info@guardiansofhope.co.za.
