WHAT INSPIRED SUCH A POWERFUL VISION? Rays of Hope’s vision is “Partnering with Alexandra to create lasting change.” We do this by running seven programmes focusing on: 1. Orphaned and Vulnerable Children 2. Education 3. Work readiness It is about moving the most vulnerable youths and families in Alex from vulnerability to independence. Our work was inspired by a word God spoke to a group of young people at a church in Sandton in 1991. The preacher shared the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:2537) as they had never heard before, they came to understand that: a) Jesus’ call to his followers to ‘love their neighbour’ meant for them that they needed to meet the needs of their poor neighbours in Alex, these were people they did not consider as neighbours as they were not part of their ‘tribe’. b) loving their ‘neighbour as much as they love themselves’ means that since they had access to food, shelter, clothing, opportunity and good education, they need to pursue the same things for their neighbours in Alex who were going without. This led to the establishment of a Matric-support group that later became a fullyfledged Saturday School, which 29 years later is still going strong. The rest flowed from there, and today we have grown to be one of the leading church-based NGOs in South Africa.
HOW HAVE RAYS OF HOPE IMPACTED ALEX THUS FAR? Each year we impact about 2,800 people through our programmes. The most significant impact we have had in Alex has been seeing thousands of young people (over the years) from the most vulnerable backgrounds beginning to believe that despite their backgrounds and environment they have something to offer the 50
RAYS OF HOPE:
CREATING LASTING CHANGE
Sihle Mooi – Executive Director
world and they have permission to dream. They can dream because they will have the opportunities in Alex to develop their talents and skills with the necessary guidance and support to realise those dreams. Their families are crucial as their primary support system and we have seen hundreds of vulnerable and broken families mended to become greater support to these young people. Vulnerable children and families in Alex now know that they are not alone. Some people will not just feel sorry for them and give them handouts but will believe in them, recognise their worth and are willing to walk with them (partnership), no matter what comes, until they realise their God-given potential. We have also been blessed to see greater collaboration in the community, we work with over 30 local NGOs and 120 micro- and small businesses to build capacity,
sustainability and to have a greater impact in the community. I regularly meet business leaders in Alex, leaders of organisations, professionals, artists, media personalities who come up to greet me with gratitude in their eyes to tell me how their time at Rays of Hope ‘made them’ or ‘changed their lives’.
WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR LONGEVITY? Next year we will be celebrating 30 years in Alex! We are often asked ‘how have you kept going in this work for so long where compassion fatigue, burnout and reliable funding are such a challenge?’ Three things have helped us: 1. Conviction about the poor: We believe that the poor are close to God’s heart and that if he has sent us to care and speak for them he will provide the energy, gifts, people and
