From Almost Losing a Home to Creating a Home for Others

House of Peace began with a personal experience of hardship.

Its founder, Renier van der Westhuizen, experienced what it felt like to come close to losing his own home. When his house faced foreclosure, he and his family were given only a short time to find a large amount of money to save it.

They reached out to churches and organisations looking for help, but doors were closed.

With only days remaining, they prayed.

Then, unexpectedly, help came from an old friend from Renier’s army days, who gave his tenth to help them through the crisis.

The house was saved.

But something much bigger happened that day.

Renier realised that there were many people who did not have the support, family, or opportunity that he had received.

He knew he could not simply walk away.

He felt called to help people who were facing homelessness, hardship, and the feeling that the world had abandoned them.

That calling became House of Peace.

A Place Where People Can Come Home.

House of Peace was created to become more than a shelter.

It became a place where people could find safety, structure, dignity, faith, work, community, and hope.

Christianity at the Heart of House of Peace

Faith is at the centre of House of Peace.

Our Christian programme is designed to give residents an opportunity to worship, learn from Scripture, pray, reflect on their lives, and grow spiritually together.

Church is not something that happens only occasionally.

It is part of the life of House of Peace.

The Sabbath

Is important to House of Peace.

The Sabbath is a sacred time dedicated to God, worship, fellowship, reflection, and rest.

Our Sabbath gathering begins with  a short Christian message and time for fellowship.

Messages may focus on practical Christian living and subjects such as temptation, forgiveness, self-control, pride, greed, lust, anger, and other struggles that people face in everyday life.

The purpose is not simply to talk about sin.

It is to help people understand how to overcome destructive behaviour and grow in their relationship with God.

Midweek Worship —

House of Peace comes together for worship.

The evening may include:

• Praise and worship
• Prayer
• Scripture
• A Christian message
• Testimonies
• Fellowship

A Growing Christian Community

One of the beautiful parts of House of Peace is that our spiritual community can reach beyond one local congregation.

People from different backgrounds and even different countries can come together to worship the same God.

Visitors may come to House of Peace to share a message, lead worship, pray with residents, or simply spend time with the community.

This creates something bigger than a weekly church service.

It creates fellowship.

Why the Sabbath Matters

• The Sabbath reminds us that life is not only about work, money, possessions, or survival.
• There must also be time to stop.
• To breathe.
• To pray.
• To worship.
• To listen.
• To reflect.
• To reconnect with God.
• And to reconnect with one another.

For House of Peace, the Sabbath represents an opportunity to put everything else aside and remember what our lives are ultimately built upon.

Faith comes first.

At House of Peace, discipline is not about breaking a person down.

It is about building a person up.

Residents will learn that actions have consequences and that responsibility comes with freedom.

When someone breaks a rule, the objective is not revenge.

The objective is correction, accountability, and growth.

Consequences can include additional responsibilities, loss of privileges, supervised fitness activities, restorative actions, counselling or mentoring, and other appropriate measures.

The goal is simple:

Make the lesson stronger than the mistake.

1. PURPOSE
These House Rules and Code of Conduct exist to ensure a safe, respectful, and peaceful living environment for all residents, including children, families, women, men, and elderly persons at House of Peace Shelter.

All residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors are required to comply with these rules.

2. GENERAL CONDUCT
All persons must:
• Treat others with respect and dignity
• Act in a peaceful and non-violent manner
• Respect cultural, religious, and personal differences
• Follow instructions from shelter management
Disruptive, threatening, or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
• Violence, threats, intimidation, or harassment are strictly prohibited
• Weapons of any kind are not allowed on the premises
• Fighting or aggressive behaviour may result in immediate removal
• Residents must report safety concerns to management immediately

4. SUBSTANCE ABUSE
• Alcohol abuse, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia are strictly prohibited
• Any person under the influence will not be allowed on the premises
• Repeated violations may result in removal from the shelter

5. CHILD PROTECTION
• Children must always be treated with care and respect
• No physical punishment of children is allowed
• No adult may be alone with a child who is not their own in private areas
• Any suspicion of child abuse or neglect must be reported immediately
• Parents and caregivers are responsible for the supervision of their children

6. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
• Residents must remain in their designated living areas
• Visitors are only allowed with permission from management
• Sleeping arrangements must not be changed without approval
• Quiet hours must be respected, especially at night

7. PRIVACY AND RESPECT
• Respect personal space and belongings
• Entering another person’s sleeping area without permission is prohibited
• Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is strictly forbidden

8. PARTICIPATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Residents are expected to participate in household duties
• Participation in skills or income-generating activities is voluntary unless agreed otherwise
• Residents who are able may contribute a small household contribution as agreed

9. VISITORS
• All visitors must be approved by management
• Visitors must follow all house rules
• Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight unless authorised

10. DISCIPLINE AND CONSEQUENCES
Failure to comply with these rules may result in:
• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Temporary suspension of privileges
• Removal from the shelter (in serious cases)

Disciplinary action will be fair and proportional.

11. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Residents have the right to:
• Raise concerns with management
• Be heard respectfully
• Lodge complaints without fear of victimisation

12. ACCEPTANCE OF RULES
All residents must sign an acknowledgement confirming that they understand and agree to comply with these House Rules and Code of Conduct.

House of Peace is not simply a place where people come to learn discipline.

It is a place where people can experience dignity again.

Through the generosity of donors, businesses, organisations, and members of our community, House of Peace can provide residents with things that many of us may take for granted — new clothes, new shoes, toiletries, personal essentials, blankets, food, and other meaningful gifts.

And sometimes, the value of a gift isn’t measured by its price.

It is measured by the smile on someone’s face when they receive it.

Imagine someone who has gone through difficult times receiving a brand-new pair of shoes.

Imagine opening a box of new clothing and being told:

“These are yours.”

That moment can restore something powerful — dignity.

Giving With Purpose

Every donation has the potential to become more than an item.

A pair of shoes can represent a fresh step forward.

A new outfit can restore confidence.

A care package can remind someone that people still care.

A meal can bring people together.

And a simple gift can remind someone:

“You matter.”

This is why donations to House of Peace are so important.

We want our residents to understand that receiving help does not mean they are worthless or dependent.

It means someone believed they were worth helping.

And our responsibility is to turn that generosity into growth, discipline, responsibility, and eventually independence.

The Smile Behind the Donation

We want donors to see where their generosity goes.

We want to capture the moments when residents receive their new shoes, clothing, personal items, educational materials, and other necessities.

Not to embarrass anyone.

Not to make people feel like charity cases.

But to show the human impact of giving.

The smile.

The excitement.

The gratitude.

The confidence.

The feeling of receiving something new and knowing that someone cared enough to give it.

That is part of the House of Peace story.

From Receiving to Giving

Our ultimate goal is to create a cycle.

Today, someone may need help.

Tomorrow, that same person may have a job, a skill, a business, or a successful career.

And one day, they may come back to House of Peace and say:

“I was once the person receiving the shoes. Today, I am here to give someone else theirs.”

That is the future we want to build.

A community where people don’t stay dependent on help — they become strong enough to help others.