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.
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.
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.
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.