My husband Ian and I are members of the Rotary Club of Morningside in Johannesburg South Africa. Joanne was introduced to us by our daughter who lives in Miami. We met with Joanne and Brittany in 2013 and in September 2014 we visited Joanne at her Bush Lodge in Hoedspruit, Limpopo in the very North of our country. The work that a Spring of Hope is doing in the area is amazing and we took the opportunity of visiting one of the sites. As South Africans we are very aware of the needs of our rural population - clean and convenient water being the most important and basic. As Rotarians we shall be behind Joanne in all her endeavors she is doing an incredible job.
Ian and Denise Cruickshank
I have been involved with "A Spring of Hope" for over 2 years now. I am based out of Singapore and met Brittany Young at a Social Innovation conference at Boston. Since then, I have also gotten to know Joanne quite well and have spent some time in S.Africa interacting with the Principals, staff and children of the schools that the organization works with.
The team's passion to bring a sustainable change, belief in innovation / entrepreneurship and giving the power to the local communities; while not making any unwarranted compromises in the process, make them stand out in a pool of "me-too" charitable groups. The organization's ecosystem has grown in significant leaps and bounds; and is at an important stage of strategic expansion to create the kind of impact that is needed in this part of the world.
I am looking forward to being a contributing factor to the rest of ASoH's beautiful journey.
- Sunil Rajan
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A Spring of Hope is an organization built on an idea that was born from Brittany and Joanne's personal experiences in South Africa. They focus on long-term solutions which would make the schools and the local communities self-sustainable. In this increasingly complicated world, where Water has become a "commodity", this team stands for what Water represents to these schools - Hope, energy, education and sustenance.
The mission of A Spring of Hope, Inc. is to bring water to impoverished villages of South Africa and the difference that has made in the lives of the villagers is incredible. I was able to travel to South Africa and see the work being done there, actually visiting the Beretta School near where one of the wells is located. I spoke to the Principal of the school who told me before they had access to this water it was difficult for the villagers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. She said the children of the village were often ill, with sores on their bodies, the village was dying. With the assistance of A Spring of Hope, Inc. and the access to potable water they planted an organic garden at the school. When I visited the garden was flourishing and filled with an array of beautiful fruits and vegetables. The school children looked happy and healthy and the village was thriving. An excellent example of the difference you have the power to make in the lives of others. We were very fortunate to have been able to book a stay at Joanne's amazing home available for rent near the school and Kruger National Park . The home is fabulous with a watering hole frequented by wildlife right outside our windows! I highly recommend this charity, and if you have the good fortune to be able to see what they do in person it will be an experience of a lifetime.
Joanne and her team do critical work in bringing the most fundamental of resources – water - to those in impoverished areas who are in dire need. I have had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand how this organisation can transform the lives of those they assist. I do voluntary work with a small school in the Oaks village in Limpopo, South Africa. Before A Spring of Hope assisted with a borehole, the school had no running water and the principal would have to collect plastic containers of water by vehicle from a communal source several kilometers away from the school each morning. The school grounds have been dusty dry for years with no hope of a garden or trees for cooling in one of the hottest regions in South Africa. With their new borehole now actively providing water (since July/August 2014), this little school is planning for its new organic food garden, with Joanne’s team’s assistance and guidance. Being one of several schools in the region that have benefited from the organisation’s generosity, they have been able to share ideas and lessons with other schools who by now have mature organic permaculture food gardens. The project is, therefore, not only bringing much needed clean running water but also the possibility of a feeding scheme for young learners in an area that remains highly food-insecure. This organisation is authentic in its intentions and honorable in its delivery. I’m truly grateful our paths have crossed.
I first met Joanne when she accompanied Martin Brody from the Ft. Lauderdale, Rotary Club at a speaking engagement that I had booked Martin for at our First Presbyterian, Ft. Lauderdale Study and Renewal Center. Martin introduced Joanne as part of his program, and had her present the video on "A Spring of Hope". Joanne and I clicked immediately as I too had been to the region where" A Spring of Hope" was drilling wells, Acornhoeck, for the last 3 years and most recently just 3 months prior on a well project with our church. It was too much of a coincidence, we knew we were meant to meet and work together. Joanne and I got together after that presentation and decided to co-chair a first annual gala for A Spring of Hope, and proceeded to put it together a great committee of dedicated volunteers. " The Power of Hope" gala was launched at the Seagate Country club in Delray Beach, FL March 21, 2014. We had the South African Ambassador, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool as our Guest of Honor and Brittany, the founder, inspired the attendees with her story. It was a big success and will be an annual signature fundraising event for " A Spring of Hope".
The power of "A Spring of Hope" is it was started by Brittany, Joanne's daughter, when she was in high school. When Brittany on her initial trip to South Africa saw the conditions in the primary schools in Acornhoeck, lack of water, she decided to do something about it. Brittany came back and raised $10,000 for the first well at Baretta Primary School. The rest is history as they have continued to drill wells and empower school children and teachers to put in fruit and vegetable gardens to not only feed themselves but to also sell the excess in the marketplace for school supplies. This is clearly an inspirational, empowerment program of love and compassion that touches hearts and has been extremely successful. Brittany and Joanne are tireless workers, astute business women, and inspire others to do more. "The Spring of Hope" non profit is truly an amazing story of the power of one. In fact our Study and Renewal Center has invited both Joanne and Brittany back to be our January 2015 speakers for our "The Power of One" series highlighting ordinary people doing exraordinary things.
So mark your calendars because we hope to see you at our 2nd annual "The Power of Hope" gala, March 21, 2015. Check "The Spring of Hope" website: wwwaspringofhope.org for coming events and details as well as to make donations. This is a nonprofit you will want to support.
After meeting Joanne and Brittany it was clear they were dedicated to helping the villagers in South Africa, not by giving them stuff but by helping them become self-sufficient. The way things are structured as a donor, I have received feedback from Joanne and the women who I've helped. It is very satisfying to watch their progress.
I had the honor of meeting Joanne and Brittany on their first trip to South Africa. Their dedication is absolute and inspiring. They have achieved and continue to work toward fabulous goals of helping so many people with their founding and development of A Spring of Hope. I am proud to support this fabulous organization.
I have been providing volunteer technical support to A Spring of Hope(ASoH) for the past two years. Professionally I am a water resources and sustainable development expert and have worked with non-profit organizations around the world that are supported by USAID and other large donors. When I met the Executive Director, Joanne and her daughter Brittany and learned of the great work they were doing in South African schools I was moved to help them as a volunteer. Without the benefit of any government or large organization funding they had already changed the lives of thousands of children and their families by giving them the gift of clean water for drinking and the ability to irrigate gardens for food. The assistance they provide is targeted to schools which is a ready made institutional infrastructure for providing not only water but training to their student on hygiene, sanitation, environmental protection, and improved irrigation methods. My goal has been to help them grow their organization and fundraising approach and to provide them technical advise on sustainable water programs so that a A Spring of Hope is itself a sustainable NGO. The wonderful work they have done so far is a drop in the bucket to the need that is there. I encourage others to help support ASoH so that they in turn can use their proven approach to help so many more!
I was looking for a non-profit to help out and Catchafire matched up my favorite causes of educating girls in developing countries and water with a wonderful little non-profit. It was love at first "site". They drill wells, at schools, that bring water, which helps girls/children and the community be healthy with clean water and growing healthy food and also their economy and, and, and! The good just keeps growing like the food the school grows for the kids. They are different in their organization in that they have not only donated the well, they "co-own" it and have a real relationship with the school and the community. They make sure the well keeps going and the people learn how to take care of it. They use their funds and efforts very well. The executive director Joanne is very generous with her time and her kindness. It's a well run non-profit.
I have been connected with A Spring of Hope for the past six years. My son was the president of the Spring of Hope Club at his high school and the following year my daughter took over. It is amazing to me that with the dedication that both Brittany and Joanne have shown for their foundation has helped so many in so many different ways! They have educated many people on the needs of the young children in Africa and making us aware has also made us want to help. I am in awe of the time and energy they have put towards this nonprofit organization. The amount of schools, wells and gardens speak for them. They are true heros.
The nonprofit Spring of Hope is just what the name says. It is Hope for one of the poorest regions in South Africa, which I have personally visited and been involved in a church well drilling project over the last 3 years. My first visit to South Africa was in 1989 as a business person invited to speak to their national executive search association and mu husband and I have subsequently visited South Africa and that region for a month every year for the last 6 years. South Africa is a special place for us. I met Joanne Young, the Executive Director, in January 2013 , at a speaking engagement that I was in charge of setting up, she came as the guest of Martin Brody who is in charge of the Ft. Lauderdale Rotary club's international water projects. The Ft. Lauderdale Rotary Club has worked on several successful well drilling projects with Joanne, and highly endorsed Joanne and A Spring of Hope as a non-profit that really gets the job done. The money you donate you can be sure goes directly to drilling wells for schools. With water these schools and children now have a real cycle of Hope. With water the children can plant fruit and vegetable gardens which provide food for them. There are a lot of orphans due to Aids, and many come to school hungry due to lack of food. The excess fruit and vegetables are sold in the marketplace in Acornhoeck and the monies go back to the schools to provide school supplies for the children. It is an amazing cycle of love and hope and empowers the school principals and school children to change their environment and their circumstances with something as simple as water. I was so impressed with this non-profit and what they are doing in South Africa, that I have volunteered to help Joanne put on the first gala fundraiser for A Spring of Hope this October 25th at the Seagate Hotel in Delray, Florida. It is rare that you see a non-profit as transparent, dynamic, and passionate about their work as A Spring of Hope. Gail Auguston-Koppen - Pompano Beach, FL
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I have volunteered for the Spring of Hope for the past few years and am inspired by the tireless efforts of Brittany and Joanne to build wells for schools in South Africa. In additions to providing much needed water to the schools, they have teamed up with organizations that extend their initiatives to help the children and the communities learn how to grow fruits and vegetables, teach them life skills and provide basic medical care. 100% of the profits help the children and their communities. Their hard work has changed the lives of thousands of children, their dedication has warmed their hearts and their continued commitment continues to raise their beautiful spirit and lets them know that they are not alone. Thank you Joanne and Brittney for everything you do for these children.
I have helped this organization when it was in the running for getting the Chase Community Bank scholarship for best new non-profit. I remember running after people in the King of Prussia Mall to get them to vote via Facebook and trying to explain Spring of Hope in the 10 seconds that people would listen to me! I had an amazing time and it felt great to teach random people about this cause and put on the pressure for them to help!
Clean water is the most natural and basic need to humans around the world, and it is more than sad to think that some places do not have it. The family who got Spring of Hope running are genuine good people who support this organization with money from their own pockets! And to think it was all started by a 14 year old girl, who was wise enough to recognize the water problem from other countries in need. The rest of us should be so wise to help our fellow humans!
A Spring of Hope is an exceptional nonprofit. In some of the poorest and most arid parts of South Africa, ASoH provides rural schools with a dependable source of water for drinking, cooking, irrigation and hygiene.
In the areas served by ASoH, most rural schools have no running water. For many, the primary source of drinking water is a tank truck sent out sporadically by the government.
At the schools they select, ASoH changes the dynamic by installing a modern electrically powered water well, and partnering with the school and other non-profits to install other components such as basic plumbing, irrigation systems, and rain catchers. ASoH also maintains contact with their schools to help ensure that the wells are maintained.
The changes at the schools can be profound. With a dependable water supply and an irrigation system, the schools are able to grow produce to feed the children. Some even grow a surplus they can sell to generate income for the school. And of course, the children are healthier as a result of being able to wash regularly. As a result, the schools become places where the children want to be, and where they feel safer.
Incredibly, because most of the administration is done by volunteers (BTW - the founders volunteer their time too), virtually all of the money raised through donations goes directly into projects on the ground. A real win-win situation.
I was born in South Africa and have lived in North America for the past 36 years. I am well aware of the shortage and, lack of availability, of clean drinking water (the basis for life) in many parts of South Africa, especially in the Mpumalanga area where A Spring of Hope is especially active. I was amazed by the wonderful work that Joanne and Brittany and their team do. I feel priviledged to have been asked to assist.
As a Board Member of A Spring of Hope Foundation, I am truly aware of it's accomplishments. As a successful Physician, it is now my opportunity to give back to the wonderful people of an incredible Country. No child should need to live without, clean drinking water, an opportunity for education and other things that we in North America accept as a given.
We have personally traveled in Africa and seen the desperate needs of the children for adequate schooling. Spring of Hope helps to facilitate fulfillment of that need by providing potable water for the children, which, in turn, allows them more time for, and less distraction from, their studies. They are truely providing "grass rootes" necessities for these children.
A Spring of Hope is a great organization and has been for years. They do great work no matter where they happen to be. It was started by a young girl and continues to help manyThe work they do is outstanding. Brittandy and Joanne who started and continue to put all their enerfy into this project deserves a great big Thank you for all their work.
A Spring of Hope is a phenomenal organization! I attend school with the founder and it is her vision, passion, and drive that has aided in touching so many lives with this amazing endeavor. I would recommend to anyone looking for an organization where their donation will have a high impact to consider making A Spring of Hope a part of your philanthropic endeavors.
A Spring of Hope not only supports an amazing cause, but is also run by amazing people. While volunteering, you feel a true sense of community and pride knowing that you are helping make a drastic change in the lives of some very grateful people. Brittany and Joanne are two of the most dedicated people I have ever met, and I feel so grateful to have worked with them directly. This project deserves great praise for its tremendous and life-changing work.
A Spring of Hope is an incredible organization. The people at ASoH really care about how effective their programs are, and they continue to evaluate programs to define success.
I just wanted to say thank you to all of those that keep this organization moving forward. I think what you are doing is truly amazing and I wish there was more people in this world with the compassion, drive, and good intentions that your organization so clearly demonstrates! It is hard to imagine our lives without running water. We are so blessed living in the United States of America. What better way to show how blessed we are than by supporting a nonprofit that gives others what we couldn't imagine life without. Thank you so much to A Spring of Hope. Please know that there are so many out here sending prayers, positive thoughts and spreading the word about your great determination as you continue to build wells so that the schools in rural parts of South Africa and Uganda can have fresh water systems. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Hilary Kroesen
A Spring of Hope is one of the most amazing organizations that I've had the pleasure of being a part of. I feel that ASOH truly empowers the communities in which it works by providing the tools necessary for people to have access to fresh, clean water. There is a specific injustice as to the burden that automatically falls on women and young girls in rural, impoverished communities to care for the home. Instead of needing to walk miles to find fresh water for their families, they can spend that time in a classroom and have fresh water right there. The world needs organizations like ASOH to educate our citizens to continue to address disparities abroad. Joanne and Brittany, the founders, are two of the most inspiring women that I've ever met. This world needs more of them!
A Spring of Hope is one of the most amazing organizations that I've had the pleasure of being a part of. I feel that ASOH truly empowers the communities in which it works by providing the tools necessary for people to have access to fresh, clean water. There is a specific injustice as to the burden that automatically falls on women and young girls in rural, impoverished communities to care for the home. Instead of needing to walk miles to find fresh water for their families, they can spend that time in a classroom and have fresh water right there. The world needs organizations like ASOH to educate our citizens to continue to address disparities abroad. Joanne and Brittany, the founders, are two of the most inspiring women that I've ever met. This world needs more of them!
As an African, priviledged to live in North America, I am well aware of how the ravages of wars, dictatorships, lack of clean water, substandard education, and a lack of universal excellent healthcare,
have all decimated a Continent with such natural resources and potential.
The Limpopo area of South Africa, remains one of the poorest areas, of an otherwise rich Country .
The future of the African Continent will be determined by the education of it’s people, and proper water management for a start.
A Spring of Hope Foundation, excels in these two areas.
It is for this reason, that I who have so much to be grateful for, have made A Spring of Hope Foundation
the Charity that I support in every way.
Sincerely,
Dr Darryl Farber
I am the Director of a non-profit in South Africa. We partner with A Spring of Hope on clean water projects in this very poor rural area. They are so wonderful to work with--full of heart, compassion, and creating positive, sustainable outcomes for very poor communities here in South Africa. Brittany and Joanne both work very hard, take nothing for themselves, and care deeply for the welfare of others. I give them my highest regard.
Prior to becoming a board member of A Spring of Hope, I had traveled to South Africa on a bicycle trip and I was so impressed by the people and their spiritual beliefs. Our bicycle tour took us to a small village where the poverty was evident by the cardboard walls and floors of the huts. Small children jumped on the back of our bicycles as we rode into their community. The children were so happy to see us. Not long after my trip, I met Joanne and Brittany and heard their story. I couldn't imagine not having clean water at a school and my thoughts went to the children that rode on the back of my bicycle. Watching Joanne and Brittany working tirelessly to raise money for A Spring of Hope inspired me to become a donor and subsequently, a board member. As a board member, I can see not a penny is wasted and their commitment to this cause is genuine. Because of A Spring of Hope, there is hope for a tomorrow and an opportunity for the children to survive and flourish. Every human being has a right to clean water.
This is a truly amazing group led by two of the most positive and caring people I have ever met!! Joanne and Brittany are an inspiration to us all and are opening the eyes of regular ordinary citizens to the horrendous situation faced by many underprivileged South Africans. Everyone has heard about the devastation that can occur to a population without clean water, but never I or my associates have been shown the realities of that devastation. Joanne and Brittany are excellent communicators that are able to paint a real life picture of this devastation and how it plagues entire villages on the African continent. Their focus and commitment to help is unmatched. I know personally that through their efforts they have gained a true following throughout the community and have motivated many like myself to jump into action and help!!