Fazenda da Esperança opens in Elsie’s River

FROM AD NEWS 2 OF 2023: A wonderful day of celebration was had on 13th May as Archbishop Stephen Brislin officially opened the Fazenda da Esperança Rehabilitation Centre in Elsie’s River. It was the perfect day for the opening of a centre for women (and their children), coinciding with the feast of Our Lady of Fatima when Our Lady appeared to three vulnerable children. The Centre is located in the former Nazareth House for the Elderly, which the Nazareth Sisters very generously donated to the Archdiocese of Cape Town so that social outreach work could continue there for the benefit of the community. Many of the Nazareth Sisters were in attendance at the opening to witness the start of a new chapter in the life of this well-known building in the community.

We were also blessed to have in attendance the two founding members of Fazenda da Esperanca who travelled all the way from Brazil to attend the opening in person. Fazenda da Esperança was founded by Lucilene Rosendo and Iraci Leite in Brazil in 1983. Since then, it has become a worldwide program which helps people to overcome substance and alcohol addiction through its three pillars of Spirituality, Community Life and Work. The first South African Fazenda project opened in Bethlehem five years ago and the Cape Town centre is the second centre in South Africa and the first for women (and their children). It was a busy week for Fazenda as a third Fazenda project opened the same week in Rustenburg, so we wish that project many successes as it begins its journey at the same time as the Cape Town project.

The Centre opening began with the celebration of Holy Mass by Archbishop Brislin in St Clare’s parish church, which was concelebrated by eight priests who have all played a part in guiding and supporting Fazenda in its journey so far. The congregation was treated to a beautiful display of dancing by a local children’s group, following which the Archbishop cut the opening ribbon and blessed the premises.

Cake and refreshments were served followed by music and dancing, setting the tone for the joyous occasion that it was. So many people gave their time, resources and energy to make the day a great success. Four parishes who had partaken in the Caritas Cape Town ‘Sponsor a Room’ Program (Sea Point, Constantia, Brackenfell and Lansdowne) provided support that went above and beyond the rooms that they sponsored. The local parishioners of Elsie’s River provided tremendous support to the Fazenda team as well as the newly formed Fazenda Board of Trustees. In addition, many others have provided food, advice and support to the Fazenda team since their arrival in February.

Fazenda hopes to accept ladies into its program in the coming weeks. These will be ladies who suffer from addictions such as drugs and alcohol and who are willing to commit to a God centred one-year residential program to address their addiction. More details about the program can be found by contacting the Cape Town Fazenda Project Manager, Jordana do Amaral.

We wish Fazenda da Esperança many blessings and success as it begins its journey in Cape Town. We know that they cannot do this alone and so we appeal to those who would like to donate their time, items, money or skills to this worthy cause to contact Project Manger Jordana do Amaral at 063 850 5123 (email: causjordana@gmail.com).
The webpage from Brazil is in Portuguese but it can be easily translated by right-clicking the black bar at the top of the page, which will show you the translation options.
https://portalfazenda.org.br/

Aisling Foley
Caritas Co-ordinator