Beth Uriel - House of Light

Sipho Banda
Birthday: 19th November 1987
Eastern Cape

Sipho is one of the longest-standing Beth Uriel family members. After graduating from High School in 2005, he spent a year serving with the church's Fuel Team ministering in the local community and throughout Southern Africa.

He is currently working to save money to begin studying towards his degree in Education, English and History. Sipho has two brothers and is quite close to his mother who stays just down the road from BU.

Arthemon Nguweneza
Birthday: 20th February 1987
Rwanda

Arthemon is from Rwanda, where his family was persecuted because his father was a journalist. His family went through many hard times and Arthemon missed three years of school. Despite this, Arthemon caught up quickly and graduated as if he had never missed a day. He then received a full scholarship to study Bio-Medical Science at the University of the Western Cape and is a top student.

The BU family is proud to boast that Arthemon will one day be the first doctor to
have come through the home's doors.

Wilson Johnson
Birthday: 22nd May 1987
Parkwood, Cape Town

Wilson has been a part of the Beth Uriel family since 2006. One of five children, Wilson's biological family stays in Parkwood, Cape Town. He is currently in High School and is a very good student, eager to learn as much as he can. Wilson loves surfing and spends most of his weekends at the beach.

Bruce Alexander
Birthday: 21st November 1987
Milnerton, Cape Town

Bruce has been a part of the BU family since 2003. He is definitely the "people's person" in the family getting along with everyone who comes through the Beth Uriel doors. He is close to finishing High School and is eager to begin studying at higher levels. Bruce has recently become a Family Leader in the home.

Wandisile January
Birthday: 7th February 1984
Khayelitsha, Cape Town

Wandisile and his family (he has two brothers, Andile and Nkosinathi, that stay at Beth Uriel) have been a part of the BU family since 2001. Wandi has wisdom beyond his years and has taken up leadership in the home as a Youth Care Worker. He is also busy finishing High School in hopes of one day studying at the tertiary level.

Lindsay Henley (right of photo)
American Social Worker Lindsay Henley says, "Africa wrecked my life! I came here once and now I can't leave it alone". Lindsay volunteered at Beth Uriel for a few months in 2000 and her heart became permanently attached to the people staying in the house. Lindsay returned and has headed up the house since 2003, when Angela retired. Lindsay is supported by generous sponsors in the United States of America. A big thank you to them for their support in making it possible for Lindsay to be here. She is so precious to all of us and does such great work in the lives of many.

Ruwayda Samuels (left of photo)
15 years ago Ruwayda became Beth Uriel's full-time chef, creating breakfast, lunch and dinner for 25 people each day. She has also helped train the family members in cooking skills. To her, the people of Beth Uriel are as much her family as her husband and kids.

Nosipho Seleka (centre of photo)
'Sisi' has been the Beth Uriel house manager since 2001. She oversees duties, manages ordering of supplies and some discipline! She is a great friend and support to our Social Worker, Lindsay and leads if ever Lindsay is away. Nosipho has a daughter and two year old son, Snoek. Snoek gets loads of attention from his 25 "uncles" at Beth Uriel.