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Bonne Esperance – rebuilding lives torn
apart by conflict
When Christine [below] fled the war-torn Democratic Republic of
Congo, she left behind a lovely home, a successful
sewing business, family and friends. After an epic journey of over
3 000km, mostly by bus or on foot, Christine finally arrived in
Cape Town on 6 January
2006, late at night, pregnant and alone.
Bonne Esperance Refugee Shelter became
her home for the next six months. She attended English classes
and began to sew again – producing bags, linen and beautiful embroidery.
Her baby, Khrestie, was born on 24 March, and was cared for in
the nursery while Christine was busy.
When it came time for her to leave the shelter, Christine was
given a small starter pack of household items and a second-hand
sewing machine to help her generate an income. In the meantime,
her husband arrived in Cape Town, secured accommodation and a full-time
job.
Christine is now employed in our Brand*New
Jeans project and although she would love to return home
when her country is at peace, for now CWD has helped her build
a new life.
Shelter, orientation and integration
Bonne Esperance is a place where refugee women and children find
temporary shelter, and the help they need to begin adapting to
life in a new country.
The children's programme provides trauma therapy and ensures opportunities
for early learning are not lost. Recent additions to the shelter
are a children's playground and a 'healing' permaculture
garden, which produces enough veggies for the refugees' needs.
Geese and ducks were introduced as a way of fertilising the soil
and producing eggs.
However, with the looming threat of growing numbers of refugees,
especially from Zimbabwe, Bonne Esperance will need to expand –
and that is only possible if funding permits.
Please click
here if you would like to make an online contribution
now to this project.
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