The following is an update from Living Hope Community Centre near Cape Town, South Africa, which is ministering to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Living Hope’s HIV/AIDS Prevention program continues to grow!

Capricorn location:

The after school program in Capricorn, one of the most depressed areas in Cape Town, has a new offshoot in what is an
even worse settlement, called Overcome Heights. Since February, many children have been part of a new Living Hope Club
where they learn new skills, hear Bible stories and receive good snacks.

More than 200 children participate daily in the after school club in Overcome Heights. With no building yet to accommodate them, “we work in the sand,” says life skills worker Clinton Losper. The community people also bring mats for them to use. Children in these communities are at great risk because of gangs and drugs. “We want to give them hope for life,” Clinton says.

Ocean View location:

In Mountain View, neighbor to Ocean View, Juliana Grodes leads another new Living Hope Children’s Club. Started with 20 children nine months ago, there are now more than 120 children involved! Although Juliana studied community development at Wellington College, she did not have much experience in children’s work. However the conditions at Mountain View tugged at her heart. “I felt the call of God to minister in this
area,” Juliana says. “It is known as a dangerous place and children are at risk, yet nobody seemed worried about it”.

Now the children are excited about their Wednesday meetings and their mothers have noted the good changes in their children.

Masiphumelele location:

Natalie Toni now supervises an expanding pre-school program in Masiphumelele. Six schools now send their children to Natalie and her team to learn life skills. These include healthy eating, good hygiene, how to write their names, pray before they sleep, and even say, “thank you” and “I am sorry”.