The SHIELD programme is a partnership between HOPE worldwide South Africa (NGO) and the Johannesburg Church of Christ.
SHIELD is an acronym for Supporting Households Living in Distress and is motivated by James 1:27.

SHIELD’s vision is the improved holistic well-being of young vulnerable children and their families.

Its aim is to promote, protect and provide for young children and their families. This is achieved by connecting compassionate and committed sponsors with vulnerable families and their young children. SHIELD focuses on supporting young children because this is the most critical period in their development. What happens in early childhood will last a lifetime.

Practically, individual sponsors or groups sign up to support a vulnerable family that has at least one child between the ages of 0 – 5 years old. Specific child and family needs are identified, and sponsors provide for those basic needs over a one-year period. These can include providing food parcels, clothing, shelter repairs, lighting, school support, etc. Sponsors also look for opportunities to assist the family to get back on their feet. This is done through access to jobs, skills training and social grants. 

Another component of the SHIELD programme is the SHIELD Academy. Enthusiastic volunteers offer their time on Saturday mornings to participate in a range of activities including providing academic and life skills support to the children within SHIELD families and other children from the community. Volunteers use a numeracy and literacy syllabus to tutor the children.