While education is made available to all children in South Africa, up to 38% of those who enroll in grade 1 do not complete grade 12. Unemployment, especially among the youth, is exceptionally high, currently at 60% for 18 - 25-year-olds, and 40% for those aged 25-35. These harsh realities have caused discouragement among the young adult population and an exponential rise in crime over the past two decades. Substance abuse, teen pregnancies and poverty prevent far too many from realizing their potential. The HIV/Aids pandemic of the early 2000s resulted in 3.7 million orphans many of whom are now coming of age. In addition to this it is estimated that 9 million South African children grow up without fathers. Families are often headed by mothers or grandmothers who struggle to overcome poverty, provide adequate supervision and academic support.
However, South Africans also have incredible resilience and a desire to succeed. By offering after-school programs for children, life-skills courses in local high schools, support for families, and opportunities to gain new skills, Seed of Hope is helping to change these statistics.
Since 2003, Seed of Hope Community Development has recognized the power of collaborating with local community members, equipping them to overcome challenges and create a promising future. Realizing that true development is what people do for themselves, we strive to be a catalyst helping people discover their God-given value and potential, their strengths and resources, and how to use them well.
God brought me (Heather Liebenberg) to South Africa in 2003 and opened my eyes to the impact of HIV/Aids in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. My late husband, Derek, and I began a ministry to those who were impacted by the epidemic. Over the past 22 years I have remained involved as a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors for Seed of Hope Community Development.
During this time our programs have grown from crisis relief interventions to community development, but our core focus is one of evangelism and restoration of the community through restoration of individual members. As a family we experienced God's miraculous healing at a combined church prayer meeting when I was miscarrying our first child. Only four months later came the tragic loss of my husband from a heart attack. By God's grace, I was able to obtain permanent residency and have encountered an incredible journey of faith. My son has now finished school and is a great encouragement to me as God continues to shape his life.
I am currently the Executive Director of our ministry. Our vision is to Restore Communities Through Restored Individuals and our programs facilitate the healthy growth of children and youth, strengthen families, and enable people to gain practical skills for employment or entrepreneurship.
We are praying and trusting God for a promised revival in South Africa that will result in the release of missionaries to the rest of the continent and beyond.
Our vision is Restoring Communities Through Restored Individuals, and is built on three essential pillars; Servant Leadership, Healthy Stable Families, and Sustainable Livelihoods. These core values are embodied through our three program areas: Child & Youth Development, Community Care, and Skills Training.
Child & Youth Development
Equipping tomorrow’s leaders with a strong sense of identity, life purpose in God, and a heart for their community through Christian-based life skills, leadership development, career preparation and academic support programs.
Community Care
Developing healthy and stable families who are well-informed and empowered to manage the holistic health of their homes. Seed of Hope offers relevant training, counseling, social support, poverty alleviation, and capacity building workshops.
Skills Training
Empowering community members to provide for their families by using available resources and skills training opportunities. Seed of Hope offers employment preparation workshops, sewing, computer training, gardening, baking and basic entrepreneurial training and mentorship.
With your support we can restore individuals through restoring their relationship with God, their identity in Christ, a sense of belonging and fulfilling their God-given purpose. This in turn will result in restored communities which bring glory to God.
Ministry No. 1647
Program Countries: South Africa
Focuses: Education, Community Development
Website: https://theseedofhope.org/
Team Lead: Heather Liebenberg
Team Members: Wandile Nxumalo, Scott Kotze, Bradley Hlubi, Halele Molotsi, Ernestina Hlophe, Bulisile Cele
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