The NEED.
There are 3.85 million children that are orphans in South Africa.

Since 2002 the number of orphans has grown by 28%. There is also a shortage of families willing to take in vulnerable children either on a temporary or permanent basis which means most of these children either stay in dangerous situations or are placed in institutions which are not conducive to their development.

The PROJECT.
The best place for any and every child is in the love and care of a strong family home, whether that is their own biological family or an adoptive family.

The Hillsong Africa Foundation believes that the church can make a real difference in the crisis of orphans and vulnerable children, by strengthening, equipping and supporting families to open their homes to a child in need.
Family+1 is an initiative started by the Hillsong Africa Foundation in South Africa to provide and equip healthy family homes to care for orphaned and vulnerable children. These families will provide ‘temporary safe care’ for children in emergency situations and permanent family homes for children to be adopted into. Hillsong Africa Foundation started the Family+1 project in 2014, working with biological families to strengthen them and to provide alternative family homes for vulnerable children unable to stay with their biological family. They provide both resources and training and support to families taking in children through this program.

Freddie & Charlotte’s STORY.
God planted the seed of adoption in the heart of my wife when she was very young and she stipulated that she would only go out with me if I was willing to accept that she would one day have a black daughter. We talked briefly about it on several occasions and I slowly warmed up to the idea of raising not only a non-biological child, but also one of another race, with God changing my heart over time.

When Family+1 was announced, our talking became more serious and we both agreed that adoption was something God had placed on our hearts. Family+1 provided a great catalyst for us to take action in this and start the journey towards adoption. Adoption is actually all through the Bible and something close to God’s heart, so this made it easy for us to open our own home to a little one. Today, we are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl.

Local Church AWARENESS.
If you are part of a local church please be mindful of your local church vision and be sure to graciously submit and share your heart with those in leadership in your life. We believe we should see this as an ‘above and beyond’ endeavour that has the capacity to reach out and build bridges into our unchurched communities and ultimately be a blessing.

Our RESPONSE.
PRAY
For strength and wisdom for families opening up their homes for vulnerable children. Pray for the children that they have a smooth transition into their new family and feel a deep sense of belonging. Pray for the families of South Africa that they are strengthened and supported to be able to care for their children.

FUNDRAISE.
Check out our handy little tips on various ways to raise funds. Please see the financial guidelines document online for more practical information. Please note that if a project is completed we reserve the right to transfer any excess funds to another project.

THE DETAILS
R500 provides a starter kit for families who open their homes for a child in need.

TELL US YOUR STORY
Send us an email at [email protected] as we would love to hear about how you did it!