Pete Portal (Sc 98-03) has been working in Manenberg, South Africa, for the past 15 years, where he leads Tree of Life, a church community and non-profit organisation, running ministries among the vulnerable and marginalised, and dedicated to living out Jesus' love as spiritual community. Pete and his wife Sarah live with young men coming out of gangsterism and drug addiction and, along with a team of friends, disciple and re-parent these young men into faith, freedom and wholeness. 

Tree of Life run two residential homes - CRU62, for young men seeking freedom from gangs and drugs; and Basila, for vulnerable or abused women and their children. The ultimate aim of both is to empower individuals to leave cycles of abuse, substance misuse and gangsterism, and respond to their pain in a way that leads to healing.

Their approach is holistic and transformative, responding to physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs. Up to now they have only been able to offer assistance to the handful of people who live with them.  But they would like to widen their approach and offer services to the whole of Manenberg, and have just launched a crowdfunding campaign to turn an old apartheid-built tavern into a Healing Centre for the whole community. Find out more about the campaign here.


Photo: Leentjie du Preez

You can also read about Pete's life in Africa and his incredible work here.

Photo: Leentjie du Preez