| History |
 Once upon a time there was a child who lived in Hout Bay. He needed a place to stay, a place where he would receive love, care and support. His name was James.A place where he could safely grow from child to man. These things that he needed he could not get from his mother or father. He was one of a number of children that needed a home, a secure environment. There was a soup kitchen, run by the local churches. They came to hear of the plight of  these children. They decided to do something. In 1986 a children's home was started in Hout Bay. The home was named James House after that first child who asked for help. It consisted of a simple prefab building. It offered a place of love, security and opportunity to 10 children. Once upon a time there was a man called Nelson Mandela. He became President of South Africa. It was a time of change. He looked to the plight of children. And he said, wherever possible, let the child remain in his home. Rather build strengths in the family and village to look after the child than take the child away from his home. 
James House was a children’s home that accepted this challenge and, guided by the Transformation of the Child and Youth Care System, embarked on a process of developing effective community programmes within Hout Bay. James House is still a children’s home with a simple prefab building. James House is also a Family Preservation Centre offering support to over 200 families, children and young people. |