Guardians of Hope Place of Safety

Guardians of Hope Place of Safety was established in July 2017 by Elaine Brenkman in East London — a woman with a calling to give the smallest, most vulnerable children a safe and loving home when they have nowhere else to go. What began as a home for 6 babies has grown to care for 30 children at any time, each of them abandoned, surrendered at birth, destitute, or palliative. Every child at Guardians of Hope is surrounded by eight dedicated caregivers, a visiting midwife, and a community of volunteers who come to shower them with love.

Their 2000 Hearts of Hope campaign invites 2,000 South Africans to pledge just R150 per month — a collective act of care that secures the future of every child in their home.

What They Offer Children and Families

Place of Safety — Residential Care for Children 0–6 Years Guardians of Hope provides a warm, loving, professionally supervised home for babies and young children up to 6 years of age who have been abandoned, surrendered at birth for adoption, left destitute, or who are receiving palliative care. Each child's physical, spiritual, medical, and psychological needs are comprehensively met.

Specialist Infant and Medical Care A registered midwife visits weekly to check on every baby's growth, development, and developmental milestones — ensuring no medical need goes unnoticed. Children requiring palliative care receive dedicated, compassionate end-of-life support.

Family Reunification Where it is safe and possible, Guardians of Hope actively works toward reuniting children with their birth families — because keeping families together, when safe, is always the first goal.

Adoption Facilitation For children who cannot return to their birth families, Guardians of Hope supports the adoption process — connecting children with permanent, loving homes through CMR East London and the Department of Social Development. Elaine personally supports families through every step of the adoption journey.

Support for Birth Mothers For a mother who has made the heart-breaking decision to surrender her baby, Guardians of Hope offers non-judgmental support and guidance — including information about the adoption process and what her child's life will look like in care.

Volunteering Opportunities Members of the public are warmly invited to volunteer — from one to three hours — simply to hold, love, and interact with the babies. This is not just meaningful for volunteers; it is essential for the children's emotional and developmental wellbeing.

Guardians of Hope is in East London. WhatsApp Elaine on 082 487 4406 or email info@guardiansofhope.co.za. For adoption, contact CMR East London: 043 722 6104.