Safintra Roofing, one of the proud sponsors of this phenomonal project, attended the elite official opening of Africa’s first eco-friendly children’s home in Midrand, Gauteng. This incredible structure was the brainchild of Mia Anfield and Sean Wall of 4d and a Architects. The launch was attended by various stake-holders, media, sponsors and of course the little people themselves.

The New Jerusalem Children’s Home provides resindential care for abandoned, abused, traumatised, orphaned or HIV – positive children and vulerable youth from birth to eighteen years. The home was started in 2000 when two sisters, Anna Mojapelo and Phina Mojapelo came together and realised the desperate need in their surrounding community to provide shelter and protection for these children. Their aim was not only to give these children a home but also to offer them a future filled with hope. Initially the sisters opened their own homes to the youngsters, but today the shelter, a state of the art compound houses over 80 children.

We salute these extraordinary women and their very worthy concern!

Also see: New Jerusalem Children’s Home

As a great example of corporate good and environmentally friendly design practices working together to benefit the needy, I knew I had to share this inspiring story with you as soon as it arrived in my inbox. Plascon has helped to build a new Eco-House at New Jerusalem Children’s Home in Johannesburg with their donation of paint and products. The Eco-House will serve as a safe haven for orphaned and vulnerable children around Gauteng. Read More

To add to the thrill, the opening of the building was a spectacular event, with children from the home doing an Indian-style performance for guests and a traditional dance group that dazzled children and adults alike.

“Our passion for green technology makes New Jerusalem unique. Our recycled home, made from used containers is something very special to see and our children are sensitised about recycling and preserving the Earth for tomorrow.

We recycle paper, cardboard and plastic,” said Anna Mojapelo, a founder and director of the home. Read More

This story of community spirit and some really cool design captured our hearts! An orphanage in Midrand, constructed using 28 shipping containers, has changed the lives of those who live in it – as well as those who created it. The newspaper cutting is carefully protected in a plastic sleeve. It is taken from the Midrand Reporter and shows the colourful splendour of the lego-like container structure  that is the new, New Jerusalem Children’s Home, situated on a smallholding between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The young girl who lives there has pinned the picture above her bed and written proudly alongside the image: “My lovely home – a five star hotel.” It is an intimate glimpse into the immense impact that the remarkable house has had on the orphans and vulnerable children who moved in a few months ago.

New Jerusalem was started 12 years ago, when sisters Anna and Phina Mojapelo chose to do something about the desperate need in their surrounding community for shelter and protection for HIV orphans and other vulnerable children. An advocate and social worker respectively, they initially opened up their own homes to facilitate this, starting with just one child. Today they shelter over 80 children at a time. When it became apparent that they needed to create a bigger home for the children, they turned to their board for advice. Read More