Embargo: 17 February 2009

Jubilant Jacob House

Six young lives are to follow a new and more promising path as the doors officially opened to Focus on iThemba’s fourth Cluster Foster Care Home, Jacob House, on 17 February.

Alan and Portia Weyers and their new family were visibly moved by the jubilant event which marked a significant milestone for iThemba - a further step forward in reaching the vision of having 20 self-sustaining homes on the campus.

Located outside Hillcrest and meaning ‘a place of hope’, iThemba is a non-profit organisation with a difference offering foster care, education and life skills training. Through their respected foster care programme orphaned children discover a sanctuary where they are embraced by dedicated parents and have a spectrum of opportunities opened up to them.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Victor Daitz Foundation, Jacob House, a beautiful home overlooking the Valley of 1000 Hills, now houses the Weyers and six vibrant children, ranging from ages 9 to 17. The children have endured great challenges for their young years yet are already blossoming through the love of their new family. In addressing the large crowd attending the opening,including key figures from the local Embo and Upper Highway community,founder and Executive Chairman Danie van den Heever explained the concept at iThemba, “These unique foster carehomes provide a loving family unit to traumatized, vulnerable children.