This is our appeal for the immediate reopening of the Group of Hope project at Brandvlei Maximum Security Prison in the Western Cape, South Africa.

The Group of Hope is a rehabilitation project that operates out of one of South Africa’s most notorious prisons. In 2002, twenty prisoners “adopted” a number of desperately needy children in nearby Worcester, many of whom were either infected or orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The Group grew vegetables for the children, made clothes, raised money for school fees and medicine, and hosted the children each month for workshops and fun events. Strong bonds grew between the prisoners and their charges – many of the children even considering the men to be their real fathers.

This 6-minute film follows the recently released Azukile Kope, one of the Group’s founding members, on his visit to the children one rainy Sunday in October 2009. Azukile is deeply concerned about the recent unexplained closure of the Project by the prison authorities.

We urge the Department of Correctional Services to allow the Group of Hope to return to its full range of activities.

Directed by Meg Rickards

Editor Jenny Hicks

Produced by Paul Egan and Simon Wood