Salesian Sisters arrive by boat on the 2nd November 1961 from the English province - Bellville Convent.
After many years and a ten month survey it was decided that Delft had the greatest need of help. Unemployment and poverty were rife. People were very frustrated. They moved from shacks to live in match-box houses, but were happy to have a house of their own. The majority of people here are materially very poor – they are also morally and socially poor. Women & children, in particular, suffer abuse, as many husbands/men are unemployed and frequently land up in prison on account of robbery, drugs, murder, etc
Shacks Match-Box Houses
On the 17th January 1996 a dilapidated building in Delft ( a former ammunition store) was brought by the Archdiocese. The Salesian Sisters in Rome paid for the adjoining plot to create an Educational Centre for these poor people. The Department would only sell this adjoining plot on condition that it was consolidated with the church property. This dilapidated building became a “bee-hive” of activity – it served as church, crèche, women’s sewing-project, after-care, youth centre, etc. The nursery school was moved out for a time and after much renovation on the 12th August 2001, the new parish centre was blessed and opened.
By 2003 we had 40 children – our renovated centre was adequate.
Our crèche was now registered and the children did not only double, but tripled! We could have MANY,MANY MORE, but we cannot accept them on account of facilities. Evenings and weekends our premises becomes a place for meetings, functions, church-services, youth socials, etc – all other activities connected to church and our work. Daily we have to pack our things away to make room for these other important activities in the community
 The new renovated building
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The Salesian Sisters in Delft
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