Bethany Home, situated in Bertrams, Johannesburg, was established in 1989 as a safe haven for abused women and their children. Originally created to accommodate up to 50 women and children, the Home’s mission is to provide care, rehabilitation, and support to those referred by the police, hospitals, and other shelters. Many of the women arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs, often feeling hopeless and without support after enduring years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
For many residents, Bethany Home represents a final opportunity to escape abusive environments and begin rebuilding their lives. During their time at the Home, women often come to recognise that the trauma they have experienced extends far beyond their immediate circumstances, frequently rooted in abuse, neglect, or hardship dating back to childhood.
The Home is managed by Bridget Edwards, the wife of an Anglican priest, who has devoted herself to creating a caring and structured environment for rehabilitation and recovery. Through counselling, support programmes, and skills development initiatives, residents are empowered to regain confidence, secure employment, and prepare for independent living. Many leave Bethany Home with renewed hope, practical life skills, employment opportunities, and the determination not to return to abusive relationships. Rehabilitation typically takes between six months and one year, with an exceptionally high success rate for reintegration into society.
The Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon has proudly supported Bethany Home for more than a decade through the monthly provision of essential supplies, including flour, sugar, maize meal, cleaning products, toiletries, nappies, baby food, and personal hygiene items. In addition, the Club has arranged regular donations of fresh produce, fruit, and vegetables from a local market wholesaler. These supplies not only support Bethany Home but are also shared with other charitable organisations in the surrounding area.
Due to its location, Bethany Home is frequently approached by vulnerable members of the local community seeking food and assistance. Wherever possible, the Home extends support to those in need.
Over the years, the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon has also assisted with major maintenance and infrastructure improvements to the ageing buildings. These projects have included the complete rewiring and upgrading of the electrical system to compliance standards, the renovation of six bathrooms, the installation of security and fire prevention systems, and the repainting of the entire facility. These upgrades represented an investment of approximately R700,000 during 2016 and 2017.
The needs of Bethany Home remain significant and ongoing, yet the positive impact on the lives of vulnerable women and children far outweighs the resources invested. Future plans under consideration include the purchase and redevelopment of an adjacent property to establish a dedicated training centre for the residents of Bethany Home and similar organisations in the area, including the Freda Hartley Foundation. The estimated initial cost of this proposed project is R1.2 million.
To learn more about Bethany Home, please visit Bethany Home Official Website.