Perched at the top of a small incline in Woodland's forested community along Pluck Road, is a newly established children's home,"Haven of Hope."Whilst the rooms are empty, the doors of the freshly painted, recently expanded structure are open for disadvantaged children.The name embraces two themes its founders, Steven and Pamela Bhagwandass, had when they saw the property five years ago.Their vision was to transform the dilapidated structure they'd purchased into a haven and a home.
"With a warm atmosphere that caters to the child's all-round development, Haven of Hope will look, sound and feel like a family and a home to the children that live here," said Pamela in an interview with the Sunday Guardian.Her excitement about the project hasn't wavered since the couple agreed on what the property would be used for.When the property was first acquired, it was done so as an investment.Guided by God and by mutual agreement, the couple began the task they'd set themselves.They sought the advice of Bridge of Hope's co-founder Subesh Ramjattan, who gave his support to the venture.
While Pamela's first degree is in social work, she has spent the last ten years alongside her husband building their business, the Face and Body Clinic.The business now has three branches and it will allow Pamela the flexibility to invest in her true passion which is working with children. "It was a sacrifice," she explained.But the sacrifice enabled the Bhagwandasses to-after five years of paying the mortgage-gift the property to Haven of Hope.This, she said, allowed the home to begin operations debt-free.It's more than just "giving back" to the community.It's a new chapter in their lives which they'll embrace along with their business.But having a vision and making a commitment didn't mean it came that easily; a point Bhagwandass is careful to emphasise.
"There are many people who've helped us along the way and helped shaped our vision," he said.Aware of the failings of previous homes, he pointed out that the home will be managed by a board of directors and a management team for transparency and accountability.While Pamela offered the intellectual and emotional intelligence to manage the home, they had to invest in construction.Bhagwandass explained that friends of the family helped make the project-a completely altruistic, no-thanks venture-a reality.The two-storey structure, complete with air-conditioning, can accommodate 20 children.
The downstairs offers accommodation for boys, a kitchen, an administrative office, storage, laundry, library, a counselling room and recreation areas.The girls will be housed upstairs and accommodation has also been made for babies."We have this view that we'll help the children but in reality, they'll actually help us. They'll make us better people," she explained.But for the couple, the home represents more than another Non-Governmental Organisation."As you can imagine, our work here has only just begun. We truly believe in the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child," she said.And while phase one is just getting off the ground, the couple already has phase two in mind.
"In anticipation that the children will mature and develop, we plan to begin phase two of Haven of Hope. This will entail erecting an additional building to house boys and girls separately. "As we look into the future, phase three of Haven of Hope will be the establishment of a transition home allowing our children a smooth transition as productive citizens of society," she explained."One of our goals is to become self-sufficient and eventually allow our home to benefit from an independent source of income. We will look at farming projects which would promote self-sufficiency."We will help single mothers in becoming employable by offering training skills and life coaching. Eventually the home would provide daytime nursery facilities to single working mothers," he said.A sure sign that the couple, as entrepreneurs, are serious about their corporate social responsibility.