Bapsfontein is an informal settlement next to the main road between Bronkhorstspruit and Pretoria. The community is made up of South African, Mozambiquans and Zimbabweans. The infrastructure is poor and there are no government services, because the local municipality has not certified the area as suitable for residential dwellings.

Bapsfontein is characterised by absolute poverty, and very few people are employed. Most families depend on government grants for survival, particularly those who are South African and qualify to apply for the grants. There are no healthcare facilities. For safety reasons, the Department of Education has moved what was the area’s only primary school. Affordable transport is a big problem at our Ark, because of the children having been moved to a new school.

There is extreme poverty; children depend on the meal they receive at the Noah centre and the school feeding scheme for daily survival. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is also affecting the life span in the community. Many children are left as orphans because their parents die of HIV related diseases. Crime, substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse are huge problems.

On the 1st September 2005, Noah Bapsfontein Centre was established. The centre started with 45 children and currently there are 172 children.

Our People

Margaret Thaganyane (Ark Manager)

(tel: 076 503 2621)

Gary (Ark Development Officer)

(tel:    083 413 5537)

Our Ark offers:

• 172 orphans and vulnerable (OVC) children have been registered on the Noah database for Bapsfontein Ark.
• OVC are receiving regular home visits from volunteers and staff members
• To date 48 children receive grants and we are hoping to assist more to access grants
• Currently providing 172 OVC’s with a fully balanced meal 5 days a week. This includes children in Aftercare.
• An Early Childhood Development programme called Clamber Club is provided for Daycare OVC`s
• Within the After Care programme Ark staff and volunteers assist children with their homework and further develop skills through play, sport and artwork.
• Bapsfontein operates in a school environment. Although there are at least two containers for kitchen and classroom. There is still a need for more space to accommodate all children.

Ark wishlist:

• OVC: Mattresses, heater, sewing machine, computers, outdoor toys, basin stand, DVD player, soccer and netball kits and bursaries
• Ark: staff and children’s toilets, store room, laptop and electricity, transport (van), kitchen utensils
• Volunteers: Training, Noah T-shirts & caps, stipends

Or contact Noah if you have services or skills you would like to bring to Bapsfontein Ark.

Address:

Cnr Delmas & Pretoria Rd
Bapsfontein