Baphumelele Fountain of Hope provides a holistic continuum of care to young people aged 11-21, who have been raised in residential care or who are orphaned or vulnerable, with a safe and nurturing environment to transition positively towards adulthood. At Fountain of Hope, we provide a platform for youth not in formal education, employment, or training to learn the necessary skills to contribute to society economically and socially, while allowing those still in high school to finish their education.
Located on four hectares of farmland in the Philippi Horticultural area on the Cape Flats, our purpose-built residential facility can accommodate up to 75 youth. The small-scale all-organic farm acts as a training ground for our youth, as well as providing employment to the local community and providing a small return through the sale of our produce.
If you would like to join us in making our dream a reality or for further details, please do contact us.
Living Programs
Founded on September 1, 2011, the Independent Living Program is tailor-made for young adults aged 18-21, aiming to address the specific needs of this age group.
Our Intermediate Child and Youth Care Centre for youth aged 11-17 opened very recently, on September 5, 2025. The first Level 2.5 Residential Facility in all of South Africa, the Intermediate CYCC helps young people transition from secure care to reintegration into the community, as well as empowering them to live independently. Its opening was a major event, attended by ministers and representatives from the Western Cape Government (read more on our Press Features page!).
The team at Fountain of Hope work tirelessly, in partnership with key external stakeholders, to teach the youth new skills enabling them to build a positive future for themselves as self-sufficient adults. It is our dream that all youth who “graduate” from Baphumelele Fountain of Hope (BFoH) are fully equipped with recognition of their gifts, talents, and skills, so they may be able to become contributing members of society. We aim to help them build self-confidence, develop practical life skills, learn the value of community and service, and get back on track.
Independent Living Program residents eating lunch together
Organic Farm
As food security is such an important issue in this country, our farmland has been planted with many delicious vegetables including spinach, beetroot, turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, butternut, kale and herbs. Our small team of farmers use organic and permaculture principles to tend the land. Once grown, the vegetables are harvested once a week for use by all the Baphumelele projects, as well as to be sold directly to local consumers and businesses. The youth learn to work on the farm, and they are each given their own small vegetable bed which they plant, tend, grow, and harvest for themselves!
Projects
The Fountain of Hope site is also home to a few unique projects. The youth learn to sew bags and make reusable sanitary pads for the community.
In partnership with Eco-Soap Bank, an international humanitarian and environmental non-profit organization, Baphumelele also facilitates a free hotel soap recycling sustainability initiative. We obtain used soap from hotels in Cape Town, sterilize and recycle it, and redistribute it to improve health in community. Baphumelele employs disadvantaged women to recycle the soap, in a process that has been laboratory certified as safe for use by humans. Recycled soap is provided to schools, children, and families in need, at no cost. Please contact us if you’re interested in participating (for free)!
Bags made by the young adults living at Fountain of Hope
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