Justice Desk Africa is thrilled to announce the opening of ‘Hope House’ at Mariasdal Combined School in Tweespruit, which will serve as our Free State hub. For the past 11 years, we’ve been running our Youth Ambassadors Program at Mariasdal, where students have actively participated in numerous Justice Desk campaigns, making a significant impact in their school and community. With the school now under new management and with the support of the Catholic Archbishop, we've decided to deepen our partnership.
Thanks to the blessing of Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani, we’ve transformed an old sisters' convent into a dynamic hub for our work in the Free State. This space, now named ‘Hope House’, will coordinate Justice Desk Africa's initiatives and serve as an immersion centre where volunteers from around the world can stay while contributing to projects at Mariasdal and throughout South Africa.
On a recent trip to the Free State, after meetings with the school and the Archbishop, we received his blessing to use the convent as our new hub. The building required extensive renovations, including fixing the roof, electrical work, plumbing, and overall cleaning. With the help of the community and the Catholic Church, as well as the hard work of the Justice Desk Africa team and the Justice Society, we restored the building. Now, Hope House is ready to host volunteers dedicated to making a difference.
The school itself has faced significant challenges over the years, with damage and vandalism leaving it in need of serious repair. Volunteers staying at Hope House will be able to assist in fixing up the school, from setting up libraries and painting classrooms to repairing bathrooms and helping in the classrooms as assistant teachers.
Our recent immersion program welcomed four teachers from Ireland and England, who volunteered at Mariasdal, serving food in the kitchen, assisting in classrooms, and undertaking important projects like setting up a mini playroom and library for the primary school. They also fixed flooring, windows, and lighting in two rooms. Thanks to the generosity of their friends, who donated books and toys, we were able to bring this beautiful project to life.
Additionally, our iNtsika Program Coordinator Lerato started conducting iNtsika sessions with the Grade 11 and 12 students, while our Mbokodo Program Coordinator Liaan launched a Mbokodo group, addressing critical issues faced by the kids at the school.
Hope House is not just a building; it’s a beacon of hope and a symbol of our commitment to empowering communities and transforming lives. We are excited to see the positive impact it will have on Mariasdal Combined School and beyond.
