Why We Do What We Do

Our Approach

e have chosen to move away from the traditional needs assessment approach to poverty alleviation and rather focus on the ABCD Community Development model. Asset Based Community Development is inherently optimistic and based on an understanding that:

-Meaningful and lasting community change comes from within

-Every person has capacities, abilities and gifts

-Local residents are experts and key change agents

We believe in long term relationship and partnership where we come alongside communities and leaders to help stimulate their own growth and change. Aleph Surf is a resource and a means that helps create the environment for growth

That is why our focus is on creating opportunities and not hand outs.

“Every living person has some gifts or capacity of value to others. A strong community is a place that recognizes these”

-McKnight and Kretzmann

“Every living person has some gifts or capacity of value to others. A strong community is a place that recognizes these”

– Mcknight and Kretzmann

Testimonies

JEROME BOOYSEN

My name is Jerome Booysen, 24 years old and the youngest of four. I was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Growing up was a huge challenge, I didn’t have any good role models in my life. My mom passed away when I was only 5 years old and my dad was also not in my life. A few years after my mom’s death, he passed away as well. We moved around from foster home to foster home, eventually to Jeffrey’s Bay in 2014. That was the year that I met a bunch of surfers who are running a ministry called Aleph.

The two leaders who are running this beautiful and amazing ministry are Rehgert and Vanessa van Zyl. Within this ministry, I started to learn about Jesus my Savior and from there on I started to pursue Him. I wanted to learn more about this man they called Jesus. My life changed physically and spiritually for the better.

Aleph is not just a ministry but a family. It’s where kids from the community come together to learn about Jesus and to surf together. Besides that we have a lot of fun, enjoying each other’s company and learning from each other. I’m blessed to be a part of this family called Aleph. Now I’m engaged to a beautiful and wonderful woman all the way from Holland. We are getting married in September. This was all God’s plan from the beginning of Aleph, where I met Jesus.

A motivation for all who are struggling and going through a hard time, physically, spiritually or mentally. Never give up on yourself. Keep looking forward and only look back on your past to see and to know that you are not alone. That God was there every step of the way. Every time you fall, stand back up because you’re foundation is in God.

Be blessed, Jerome.