In early 2021, the GEH compound faced a devastating bush fire which started in the neighborhood. The blaze quickly went rampage, consuming everything outside our fence and much of the vegetation within the yard, including eucalyptus trees, precious medicinal plants, bees hives, and fruit trees.

The children and staff fought valiantly, carrying barrel upon barrel of water and sand, but the fire was difficult to contend. It ultimately reached one of the buildings, burning down a huge cupboard containing all the children’s dresses and ruining pipes.

Despite the setback, the incident showcased the profound resilience and community spirit of the GEH family. Staff and children worked side-by-side to combat the flames, and immediately following the event, the community rallied to begin the massive cleanup and rebuild. This event was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our location but also of the strength of our resolve and the generosity of our supporters who helped us restore what was lost.