House of Love and Hope

Home for Abandoned Babies and Children with Special Needs

HOLAH is a registered place of safety that provides love, care, and stability for up to 18 children — though this number often changes as we respond to emergency and crisis placements.

Our home consists of three cottages: one for our babies, one for our toddlers, and one dedicated to our children with special needs, most of whom are wheelchair users.

Since opening our doors in 2012, we have cared for and loved over 200 babies and children, most of whom were abandoned.

We work closely with child protection organisations, the South African Police Service, and local hospitals to provide a safe and nurturing environment for every child entrusted to us.

Our commitment continues until each child can safely reunite with their biological family — or find their forever adoptive family.

Specialised Care and Therapy

At HOLAH, every child matters.

We ensure that all our children with disabilities receive the specialised care, therapy, and equipment they need to reach their full potential.

We currently care for 10 children with special needs, including those with severe Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, and rare genetic conditions.

Their daily routines include therapy sessions in our on-site therapy room, supported by:

A Loving Home Environment

At HOLAH, we provide more than a safe space; we provide a family. We are passionate about helping each child thrive, meet their milestones, and feel loved and secure.

Bonding and attachment are central to what we do, and our carers, management team, and volunteers all play a part in ensuring that every child feels valued and connected.

Our home is located on a beautiful property in Crestholme, Waterfall, featuring:

The children are encouraged to play, explore, and simply enjoy being children.

Adoption and Lifelong Care

Adoption is a vital part of our mission.

When family reunification is not possible, we work tirelessly to find each child their forever family.

This process can take anywhere from two months to over two years, but we are committed to stability, no child is moved from one home to another unnecessarily.

We’ve celebrated many successful adoptions across South Africa and internationally, with some of our children now living in America, Canada, the UK, and across Europe.

Many of these families stay in touch, and some even return to visit, a reminder that once a child is part of HOLAH, they are forever part of our family.

For our children with special needs who are unlikely to be adopted, HOLAH remains their lifelong home.

They will always have a place here, surrounded by love, care, and belonging.

Because at HOLAH, the “House of Love and Hope” is not just our name, it’s our promise.

Get Involved

If you’d like to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about HOLAH, we’d love to hear from you. Your support helps us continue to provide a home filled with love, hope, and opportunity for every child in our care.