The Leaves Exclusive Guest House is committed to social investment that makes a difference. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment, develop self respect, take advantage of educational opportunities and learn self-reliance.

In South Africa one out of four women is in an abusive relationship and one woman is killed by her partner every six days. A woman is raped every 26 seconds which translates to 3,300 women raped every day, 23,000 raped a week and a staggering 1.2 million women raped each year. The statistics for children in South Africa are just as concerning: 180 children are abused every day which total 65,500 abused every year. According to Interpol statistics, South Africa has the world's highest ratio of reported rape cases per 100,000 people, but most rape cases go unreported.

Bethany is a home to heal abused women and their children. Bethany assists abused women and their children in their reintegration back into the wider society following their traumatic and often 'near death' experiences. This non-racial project's aim is to provide accommodation, counseling and spiritual services for destitute women and children. The house is situated in Lorentzville, a low-income, overpopulated area. Bethany was inaugurated in 1989, and serves the greater Johannesburg area and can accommodate up to 55 women and their children at any one time. Women and their children are sent to Bethany by the local police and hospitals.

Women entering the shelter can be accommodated from 6 to 18 months depending on the healing process. Although some women are able to make a small contribution towards their stay at Bethany, the monthly shortfall in the running expenses is drawn from the Bethany account. Apart from the expenses such as groceries, food, electricity, gas, maintenance, etc., Bethany also funds: children's school fees, transport to and from training sessions, divorces, trips to and from court and medical expenses.

Many women arrive at the shelter having been thrown out of their homes by their husbands and often having lost everything, including identity documents, marriage certificates, birth certificates, clinic cards and the saddest of all their dignity and self-confidence.

It is through people's daily interaction with one another that a climate of compassion and solidarity or of fear and neglect is created. Nelson Mandela said: “hands can hurt or heal, punish or uplift.”

The Leaves Exclusive Guest House is committed to play an active role in equipping and inspiring these women and their children to go out and live a productive and fulfilled life. For more information contact Sue at The Leaves Exclusive Guest House on +27 83 635 6489.