The Journey That Brought Us Here
House of Peace was founded by Renier van der Westhuizen in 2014, during a time when he was facing the possible loss of his home. His situation was desperate, and he had nowhere to turn.
One night, just one week before the repossession deadline, Renier made a promise to God: if he and his family could avoid losing their house at auction for R150,000, he would open his doors to others who found themselves in similar circumstances.
Two days before the foreclosure deadline, an old army friend contacted Renier and told him that he wanted to donate his biblical “tenth” to help Renier settle the debt and save the house. In this way, Renier was able to keep his promise to God and fulfil his vision of helping others in difficult circumstances.
He named the initiative House of Peace (HOP) — a community upliftment, restoration, empowerment, and transitional shelter for those in need. House of Peace is built on strong family values, providing a safe environment grounded in a Christian belief system.
