Testimonies of how Project Hope helps in the community:
In 2013 there were mini floods across Port Elizabeth, which led to families being evacuated in the Bethelsdorp and Booysenpark communities, and in February 2014, fourty shacks were destroyed in a fire in the “Vergenoeg” shack community close to Booysens Park. After both these tragedies, Project Hope helped feed, dress and rebuild the homes of families that were left destitute.
Bennie and Michelle de Bruyn, the Supervisors of our Feeding Programme, run a soup kitchen in Extension 36, where they also minister to the children who come to eat. One of the little boys who came daily always brought an extra plate with him. After a while Michelle asked him why he brought an extra plate, to which he replied that it was for his little brother who couldn’t eat or walk properly. His brother, then five years old, was born with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a foetus in association with high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. (Our children suffer greatly because of the immense problem with alcohol and drug abuse in our communities.) Michelle told him to bring his brother along next time. When he arrived with his little brother, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome was evident. The little boy’s clothing was intolerable to him, because he was sweating excessively. He also struggled to speak and had a disfigured wrist, which meant he could not feed himself properly. Michelle not only physically fed him, but she also prayed over him daily and became a first-hand witness to the healing power of God. This little boy’s wrist healed and soon he was able to feed himself. The excessive sweating stopped and his speech dramatically improved. Now he is the biggest chatter box!