Hope Finds a Home at Guild Cottage
Tasneem Bhula (32) from Johannesburg, Gauteng, leads one of South Africa’s most remarkable sanctuaries for girls who have endured the unimaginable. As Executive Director of Guild Cottage, a specialist residential treatment centre in Parktown West, she and her dedicated team provide more than shelter. They offer safety, therapy, and the hope of healing.
Founded over a century ago, Guild Cottage has become a beacon of compassion and resilience, supporting sexually abused girls aged six to eighteen. It’s the only centre of its kind in South Africa, where each child receives psychological care, family therapy, education, and the chance to rediscover trust and purpose.
A Legacy of Care and Courage
Guild Cottage’s roots trace back to 1907, when the Guild of Loyal Women established it to care for orphans of the Anglo-Boer War. Over the decades, the home evolved to meet the changing needs of society. By the 1980s, as awareness of child sexual abuse grew, Guild Cottage became a specialised treatment centre, pioneering trauma recovery for young survivors.
“The girls who come to us have faced unimaginable pain,” says Tasneem, “Our mission is to show them that they are not defined by their trauma, that they can rebuild their lives.”
Through environmental therapy, individual and group counselling, and life-skills development, each girl learns to reclaim her confidence. The Cottage even has a vegetable garden, where tending to plants becomes an act of calm and renewal.
“Healing is not linear,” Tasneem adds, “but every step forward, every smile, every small success, is worth celebrating.”
Healing Hearts, One Day at a Time
A day at Guild Cottage is designed to feel like home. The girls wake up, share breakfast, attend school, and receive therapy sessions. Evenings are for homework, dinner, and quiet moments of reflection. On arrival, each girl receives a teddy bear, symbolising comfort and safety, a reminder that they are not alone.
Tasneem describes the process with warmth: “We tell them: it’s not your fault, and it never was. You are not alone. You are loved.”
And for those struggling with self-harm or suicidal thoughts, Guild Cottage provides intensive support and safety planning.
“Children who have suffered abuse often carry invisible scars,” Tasneem says. “But through community, therapy, and love, healing becomes possible.”
Stories of Strength and Second Chances
Amid the challenges, there are powerful stories of transformation. One young woman, admitted in 2018, passed her matric in 2024 with three distinctions and earned a nursing bursary at Mediclinic. Two others have recently been reunited with their grandparents, flourishing in their new lives.
These are victories born of consistency, compassion, and a trauma-informed approach.
“Every meal shared, every therapy session held, that’s what your donations make possible,” explains Dr. Francesca Maraschin, a board member and campaign creator who now works as a paediatrician in London.
Francesca joined the Guild Cottage board in 2019 and recently helped launch a crowdfunding campaign to help keep its doors open.
“In the wake of COVID-19, funding for social care has dwindled,” she says. “But the need has never been greater. Without ongoing community support, we risk losing a lifeline for hundreds of girls.”
The ‘Growing Givers’ Campaign: Building a Village of Hope
On 3 March 2025, Guild Cottage NPO launched its second crowdfunding campaign through BackaBuddy; Save Guild Cottage. The campaign follows a successful effort in 2024 that raised R20,817.84 from 28 donors. This year, with 81 generous contributors, over R79,000 has been raised toward a R100,000 goal.
Funds will cover essentials like food, school fees, therapy, and maintenance, as well as training for staff who deliver trauma-informed care to the girls and families. It costs roughly R250,000 per month to sustain operations, a formidable but vital expense.
Francesca explains: “Our goal is to create a movement of ‘growing givers’, people who give not once, but regularly, ensuring that Guild Cottage can thrive long-term. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep hope alive.”
If the campaign surpasses its goal, extra funds will support sustainability projects such as installing solar panels, reducing running costs, and keeping the home energy-secure.
Conclusion: The Power of Community Care
The story of Guild Cottage is one of faith in humanity, of strangers uniting to protect the most vulnerable. Donations, large or small, don’t just keep the lights on; they keep dreams alive.
As Tasneem reflects, “Every girl who walks through our doors deserves safety, dignity, and a future filled with possibility. Your kindness makes that future possible.”
To support Guild Cottage and help keep its doors open, visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/save-guild-cottage
When we give a little, often, we grow a lot — together. Join the #WeGrowGivers movement on BackaBuddy
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