Chicago, Paarl

Heideveld is never not unusual

When we left for Paarl in the morning , we picked up Phaldie Brown, the food he had prepared overnight, and the sound system we would be using to entertain, motivate and inspire the people of Chicago, under the auspices of Fountain Of Hope Community Projects.

Chigaco, Paarl was a first for all of us. Greeted by a warm, welcoming community, the courtyard of Fountain Of Hope was abuzz with an excited, young energy

Fountain Of Hope paraded an explosion of talent - a band, riel-dancers, a solo performance by a remarkable young actress and dance-groups to make you catch your breath

Rugby stars Verouska Grain ( who has close ties to the founder of FOH) and Taureq Britton ( Ambassador for AJF) spoke encouragingly and inspiringly to the young people present and Phaldie Brown did his inimitable thing! I spoke. And what a great job by our MC for the day

There was food, and there was dancing

A key part of AJF Partnerships is the ongoing sustainability of our relationships. Our ECD focussed specifically on supporting - with resources and expertise - all aspects of Early Childhood Development. Also - as our founder, Anwar Jakoet puts it : We never arrive empty-handed (A special thank you to our partners, Volksco, who are chariots of the angels)

Vanessa and Shinay Adams are the driving forces behind Fountains Of Hope, offering children and youth in their community engagement around sport, educational and cultural endeavours. They also have an Internet Cafe that services the whole community’s online needs, and regularly provides meals for those who don’t have

Founder Vanessa, a police officer, stresses that care for her community is her passion. ‘It has to be’, she says ‘otherwise you won’t last. And be prepared to dig deep into your own pocket’.

Reaching out to AJF seems obvious to us - our ethic being we help those who help themselves, and then in turn help others.

We are inspired by the Adams family, what they have achieved here so far, and what we hope to, no will, ensure they continue doing in the crucial and vital way that they do

Soli Philander