From Despair to Aspiration
The Fold Children’s Home
When Maria first arrived at The Fold, she was just four years old — but she had already lived through more instability than many adults ever will.
Her home life had been shaped by poverty and neglect; she and her three siblings had been removed from their home by court order. Going to school, much less reaching high school was unlikely. Maria faced a limited future — not because she lacked intelligence or motivation, but because opportunity had never been within reach.
Maria’s story is not unusual. According to national data shared by New Road Missions, 63 percent of South African children live in poverty. Sixty-five percent never complete high school. Forty percent have experienced some form of abuse.
Rescuing children like Maria from such a future is the heart of the mission at The Fold, a Christian boarding school located in Bulgeriver, South Africa, and overseen by New Road Missions. NRM was founded in 2016 by longtime FAC members Jim and Tammy Walter.
Her home life had been shaped by poverty and neglect; she and her three siblings had been removed from their home by court order. Going to school, much less reaching high school was unlikely. Maria faced a limited future — not because she lacked intelligence or motivation, but because opportunity had never been within reach.
Maria’s story is not unusual. According to national data shared by New Road Missions, 63 percent of South African children live in poverty. Sixty-five percent never complete high school. Forty percent have experienced some form of abuse.
Rescuing children like Maria from such a future is the heart of the mission at The Fold, a Christian boarding school located in Bulgeriver, South Africa, and overseen by New Road Missions. NRM was founded in 2016 by longtime FAC members Jim and Tammy Walter.
The Mission in South Africa
At The Fold, children are provided with housing, meals, and a Christian education from preschool through 12th grade.
“We are pulling children out of the pit of hell. We tell them that they have value and they’re made in God’s image," says Gerhard Potgieter, The Fold’s director of operations.
“We are pulling children out of the pit of hell. We tell them that they have value and they’re made in God’s image," says Gerhard Potgieter, The Fold’s director of operations.
A Family, Not an Institution
Central to The Fold's philosophy is creating a family environment rather than an institutional one. Children live in homes with eight to ten peers and a dedicated house mom. This structure teaches them "how to operate within a family structure with older children, helping with the younger ones, and learning how to handle household responsibilities like chores, as well as having the care and guidance of a housemother." explains Jim Walter, CEO of New Road Missions.
Carmen, Gerhard’s wife, oversees the school, handles the finances, and manages the house moms, while Gerhard oversees all operations, maintenance, and new construction. In addition to Gerhard and Carmen, The Fold employs 19 full-time staff, consisting of five grounds keepers, six teachers, and six house moms. Currently, 31 children ages 4 through 20 are living at The Fold.
Their days are structured and full:
Carmen, Gerhard’s wife, oversees the school, handles the finances, and manages the house moms, while Gerhard oversees all operations, maintenance, and new construction. In addition to Gerhard and Carmen, The Fold employs 19 full-time staff, consisting of five grounds keepers, six teachers, and six house moms. Currently, 31 children ages 4 through 20 are living at The Fold.
Their days are structured and full:
- Morning: School starts with a 15-minute assembly and devotion, followed by classes using a government approved Christian curriculum.
- Afternoon: A main meal at lunch is followed by more school until 3 pm, playtime, and age-appropriate Bible studies led by Carmen.
- Nighttime: Evenings consist of study periods for the older children, bath time for the younger ones, and simple dinners. Lights go out by 10 p.m.
Driven by Gratitude
Asked why they dedicate their lives to this challenging work, Gerhard and Carmen say their motivation arises out of gratitude and obedience to God.
“It really is not about us. It's about what God is doing here,” says Gerhard, adding that he lives by the motto ‘Live fast and take chances on Jesus.’ I am not here for anything else. I’m grateful for my salvation.”
Carmen, a former pharmacist, says she felt called to serve the Lord after her children finished university. In her view, joining The Fold was a miracle, the "the perfect opportunity for the two of us to serve The Lord together."
Jim Walter underscores New Road Mission’s commitment to the Great Commission.
“We're just being obedient and going into all the world and making disciples. [We’re trying to] change the trajectory of children’s lives so that God can use them to bring the light of Jesus to a dark place.”
Today, Maria is doing just that. She is now 20 years old, employed by a luxury safari company, and saving to build her own house.
“She's now a fully devoted follower of Christ, sharing the gospel. She’s got a great job, on a great career path,” Jim says. “In all honesty, and I don't say this with exaggeration, if she did not come to The Fold, she probably would not have survived.”
“It really is not about us. It's about what God is doing here,” says Gerhard, adding that he lives by the motto ‘Live fast and take chances on Jesus.’ I am not here for anything else. I’m grateful for my salvation.”
Carmen, a former pharmacist, says she felt called to serve the Lord after her children finished university. In her view, joining The Fold was a miracle, the "the perfect opportunity for the two of us to serve The Lord together."
Jim Walter underscores New Road Mission’s commitment to the Great Commission.
“We're just being obedient and going into all the world and making disciples. [We’re trying to] change the trajectory of children’s lives so that God can use them to bring the light of Jesus to a dark place.”
Today, Maria is doing just that. She is now 20 years old, employed by a luxury safari company, and saving to build her own house.
“She's now a fully devoted follower of Christ, sharing the gospel. She’s got a great job, on a great career path,” Jim says. “In all honesty, and I don't say this with exaggeration, if she did not come to The Fold, she probably would not have survived.”
