FYNNLANDS Sports Club will host a family fun run/walk on July 27 to raise funds for the Journey of Hope Baby Home.
Also read: Bluff baby home provides love and care for 25 years
The event promises a day of fun and community spirit with food, drinks, music and activities for children, all for a great cause. The entry fee is R100 per person, with proceeds going directly to support the Journey of Hope Baby Home.
Founded by Caileen Flemming, Journey of Hope Baby Home offers temporary safe care for babies in need. As crisis care parents, Flemming and her team provide a nurturing environment for babies until they are adopted or reunified with their families. These babies are often abandoned, removed from unsuitable home environments or given up for adoption. The baby home currently cares for six infants, the maximum allowed by the Department of Social Development.
“The babies are all placed with us by social workers who handle the casework. We don’t facilitate adoptions or become involved in the placement of our babies. We are simply here to provide a stable home, full of love and happiness for the babies while they need us,” said Flemming.
She shared that running a baby home was not something she anticipated. “I am a teacher by profession but always felt called to do more than just teach. Our family explored various ways to ‘make a difference’, and we settled on crisis care,” said Flemming.
Journey of Hope Baby Home became an official non-profit organisation in November 2023. Despite the challenges, Flemming finds immense fulfilment in this work. She said, “Children have always had my heart. This calling, though, is something completely different. It fulfils me in a way I never thought possible. The child abandonment crisis in South Africa is beyond devastating. The need is overwhelming.”
With no external funding, the baby home relies heavily on community support. “As a new NPO, we receive no funding whatsoever. We are completely self-funded and rely on the community for help. The fun run/walk aims to raise awareness and funds for the baby home,” explained Flemming. “There will be food and drinks on sale, music and jumping castles for the children. We hope for a morning full of fun and relaxation where people can come along, do the walk and then enjoy some good food and music for a little while before heading home.”
She added that the event is also a great way to spend your 67 minutes for Mandela Day and have family fun at the same time.
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