How to Get Involved
Amor Community of Hope is a Non- Profit Organisation, relying entirely on donations and volunteers in order to do our work effectively and efficiently. At Amor Community of Hope we partner with local leaders that live in the communities where we build. The leaders have the best eyes in, and are connected to their communities and they partner with us by evaluating and recommending home recipients. The families we build for own, or have bought the stand that we build on, but they live in a shack and have no means of building a decent house for themselves and their families.
Home Building
Why Homes?
South Africa government introduced RDP homes after the 1994 elections. A lot of people were then “promised” homes; however, the system has not worked well for everyone. We build homes for the elderly, disabled and child headed homes. The council in Delmas took a decision not to build RDP homes in the older areas anymore and yet there are people that have lived in the land for years and couldn’t afford to be relocate to the new area because it’s a distance from town and needs transport and transport means money.
Impact
Youth Involvement
We have partnered with Rosebank College, Braamfontein branch, WITS University and Living Word Church Youth group as part of our youth volunteers. Since we introduced youth to our program, they have gone back to their communities to give back.
Families
The work of Amor, through your partnership has a profound impact on families and changes their trajectory. Here is some of the feedback received from new home owners:
“Every time it rained, our shack would be wet but the kids had to sleep to get ready for school the next day, my older sister and I would hold buckets over the bed right through the night until the rain dissipates. Now we sleep in peace. You might not have an idea how much you have changed our lives, but this is a practical way I can explain what Amor and its partners have done for us” Zandile and her sisters (Child headed Home)
“I felt hopeless and helpless all the time. I felt like God had forsaken me and my family, as soon as the house was built for us, there was hope. You brought hope in my life” She consequently opened a tuck shop and sell chickens.
PAD
Periods, an age-old reality, evolved from ancestral cloth to disposable pads. Unfortunately, these pads contribute significantly to pollution. The demand for affordable pads in South Africa, where even condoms are distributed for free, led Amor South Africa to create reusable sanitary towels with resilient women. We’ve expanded this initiative in partnership with a High School in Delmas. The school has introduced the project to Grade 11 and Grade 12 students that can use the skill later to start their own businesses.
The students are learning to craft reusable towels. We’re establishing a cooperative, allowing them to sell the towels for stipends and materials. This project addresses job creation for the students in the future.
The recipients of the reusable sanitary towels will be school-goers, both primary and high school learners. The unemployed young women, low-wage earners, and elderly women with continence issues. While conventional pads are sporadically donated, our reusable towels aim to fill the gaps in months without donations.
School Assistance
Currently, we’re collaborating with Three (3) schools, supporting them since 2023:
Tswelopele Secondary School – Tembisa: Gauteng Province
- School Library – container
- Donated food packs to child-headed homes.
- Provided Hygiene packs for boy child and girls with essentials.
- Ongoing assistance as needed.
Vuwani Secondary School – Soweto: Gauteng Province
- Supplied Hygiene packs for boys.
- Donated sanitary towels for girls.
- Future recipient of our project period distribution.
- School Uniform as and when we receive donations
Mafa Max Motloung Secondary School – Delmas: Mpumalanga Province
- Monthly food pack donations.
- Provided school uniform
- Offered Hygiene packs for both boys and girls
- Established a partnership for making Sanitary Towels with Grade 11 and 12 students.
- Donated full soccer Kit for 1st and 2nd team
- Donated Netball kit for 1st and 2nd Team
Food Assistance
Food scarcity affects the most vulnerable, often overlooked in our daily lives. In 2019, we initiated a food parcel distribution program that remains crucial. In Gauteng, 48% face hunger; a number we believe has decreased.
Weekly, we distribute 150 packs, supporting the unemployed, school children, and those facing special circumstances. Partnering with donors and Soft Landings Foundation, each pack contains essentials like maize meal, pilchards, beans, tea, sugar, potatoes, onions, peanut butter, and oil.
Additional support from Soft Landings Foundation provides rice, soya, lentils, split peas, and dehydrated vegetables. Our reach extends to Delmas, Kempton Park, Springs, Florida, and Tembisa.
The impact goes beyond nourishment. Recipient Alex, seeking employment, allocates his weekly earnings to rent, ensuring a secure shelter, thanks to our food packs. We’re not just providing sustenance; we’re securing homes.
“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
Anne Frank