“Ons Fynbos Gemeenskap Stigting het sowat 'n maand gelede 'n stoor in die industriële gebied in Stanford gekoop met die doel om 'n nasorgsentrum vir die gemeenskap se kleingoed te begin,” vertel Annelize Zeelie van Fynbos Akademie, sowat 20km vanuit Stanford. “Om fondse vir hierdie projek in te samel, het Koos (63) en Joanie Smith onlangs op ‘n 1,000km fietsrit deur die Wes-Kaap vertrek.” Die eerste dag het hulle reeds 112km afgelê en die eerste aand het hulle in Swellendam oornag. “Mense kan hulle op Facebook onder events en die naam Hopeland Project volg,” sê Annelize.

The Hopeland Project:

On the outskirts of Stanford is an area called “Hopland”. The signs of poverty are everywhere. Unemployment is rife, whilst burglaries have become a given. Drug abuse has become a major concern and it’s the children who bear the brunt. Hope through the Hopeland Project is supported by the Fynbos Community Foundation.

The Governing Body of the Fynbos Community Foundation has decided that everything possible should be done to offer the children of Stanford the best possible facility where children can spend time after school in a safe and caring environment. They purchased a building at a cost of R850,000 (+ VAT). The after-school caring facility starts functioning on 21 July 2014. The Western Cape Cycle Challenge is the first fundraising event and individuals and companies can sponsor a cyclist per kilometer. To make a pledge, please go to myshare@hopeland.co.za.

Vir navrae rakende Fynbos Akademie óf die fondsinsamelingsprojek, kan Annelize by 074-333-4463 gekontak word, of stuur ‘n e-pos aan haar by annelize.zeelie@gmail.com.

Hardus Botha

Foto: Koos en Joanie Smith kort voor hul vertrek om ‘n 1,000km rit deur die Wes-Kaap vir ‘n fondsinsamelingsprojek