Member Profile: A Spring of Hope

A Spring of Hope (ASOH) is committed to the long-term sustainable development of rural South African schools through the investment of clean drinking water sources and economic development programs.

Since 2007, A Spring of Hope has partnered with 18 schools in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. These schools have all received boreholes (deep water wells) financed and constructed by ASOH and have all been brought into the ASOH educational network for permaculture training. All schools participate in gardening workshops hosted by our flagship school to disseminate knowledge about natural plant alternatives to pesticides, herbal medicines, intercropping, soil-turning, and other methods. Our two-person, part-time staff in the country maintain close ties with each of our partner schools to ensure that they have access to the training and resources they need to improve their schools.

A Spring of Hope has its roots in a single fundraising effort in 2005 to construct a borehole at a school in Limpopo, South Africa. In 2007, the organization was incorporated and expanded its focus beyond fundraising efforts. ASOH has greatly evolved over the years, bringing on experience and expertise to the team. The focus has shifted toward sustainable growth from holistic schools-based programming, beginning with providing water and moving into permaculture training, vegetable shop set-up, and sanitation training. Through ASOH strategic NGO partners, it is able to provide regular training and support. In 2010, A Spring of Hope received a $130,000 grant from the Chase Community Giving charitable branch of JP Morgan Chase. In the spring of 2012, ASOH received its NPO status in the country of South Africa, where the organization has a second board of directors.