Pregnancy Crisis Centre

Unplanned pregnancy in South Africa is not only a health crisis — it is a social and economic emergency, particularly for schoolgirls and students who face the compounded pressures of family shame, financial abandonment by the child's father, academic disruption, and profound isolation. The Pregnancy Crisis Centre of Hope in Bloemfontein was established precisely in response to this reality: to provide pregnant women and girls with a place to turn when the world around them has offered nothing but judgment, fear, and closed doors.

The Centre operates as a sub-division of Anchor of Hope Ministries, a registered NGO with 18A tax exemption status — meaning all donations qualify for tax deductions. This structure gives PCC of Hope the institutional backing of an established faith-based welfare organisation while allowing it to focus specifically on pregnancy crisis services.

Who PCC Serves

The Centre's explicit focus is women and girls facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies — particularly schoolgirls, students, and women who have been left without support by the father of the baby. The About Us page states this plainly: unplanned pregnancy leaves women "in a desperate situation whereby there are sometimes little or no support from the father of the baby. Because most of the women are still in school or studying, future prospects looks demoralizing to them." PCC exists to reverse that demoralisation and open a path forward.

Services

Pregnancy Testing — Free pregnancy testing services.

Ultrasound Scans — Free limited ultrasound scans to determine the stage of pregnancy and viability, providing essential medical information. Additional scans are arranged through partnerships with local doctors and Estherea Women's Wellness Clinic.

Counselling — Trained volunteers provide compassionate, non-judgmental, non-directive support to individuals facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, ensuring women receive information about all their options without pressure. Counselling is also offered by a registered Pastoral Counsellor for more complex presentations.

Pregnancy-Related Trauma — Specialist pastoral counselling for women dealing with pregnancy-related trauma, including miscarriage and the loss of a baby — a profoundly underserved need in many communities.

Post Abortion Recovery Program — A structured recovery programme for women and men dealing with post-abortion syndrome (emotional and spiritual distress following an abortion). Offered to anyone in need, regardless of when the abortion occurred.

Sexual Education — Awareness programmes in schools, at the University of the Free State (UFS), and the Central University of Technology (CUT), aimed at learners aged 11–19, covering pregnancy, relationships, and abstinence.

Material Assistance — Essential baby supplies including nappies, cleaning products, blankets, and clothing. In 2018, the Centre distributed 88 starter packs to new mothers; approximately 50% of that year's pregnancies counselled resulted in the women continuing their pregnancies.

Adoption and Foster Care — Information and referral support for women considering adoption or foster care. Partners include House Elpizo (foster care) and ENGO (adoptions). All referrals are supported by social workers and the Department of Social Development.

Transportation Assistance — Help with transport to medical appointments and related services — a practical barrier that prevents many women from accessing care.

Birth Preparation — Education and resources to prepare for labour and delivery.

Breastfeeding Support — Information and practical support for breastfeeding mothers.

Pre- and Postnatal Care — Emotional support and resources for new mothers through pregnancy and the post-partum period.

The Mothers Home

In March 2015, PCC of Hope opened its Mothers Home — a residential facility adjacent to the counselling centre where pregnant women facing accommodation or financial challenges can live safely during their pregnancy and for a period after the birth. This is particularly important for students and schoolgirls who would otherwise face homelessness, family expulsion, or the impossibility of continuing their studies while pregnant. Daycare is provided for babies after birth, enabling mothers to return to studying. Since the Mothers Home opened, over 40 women have been housed.

Legacy Dad Workshop

An innovative complement to the Centre's women-focused services, the Legacy Dad Workshop aims to equip fathers of pre-schoolers to be intentionally involved in their children's lives — using talking and playing techniques — and to impact their communities through thinking and listening skills. This reflects a recognition that effective pregnancy and child support must include fathers.

Relevance to GBV Survivors

Pregnancy crisis services are directly relevant to GBV survivors in several ways. Women and girls who are pregnant as a result of rape — including statutory rape — need the non-judgmental, confidential space that PCC provides. Women in abusive relationships may have an unplanned pregnancy that complicates their ability to leave. And young women who are isolated, financially dependent, and facing an unplanned pregnancy are at heightened risk of entering or remaining in exploitative or abusive relationships. PCC of Hope does not describe itself as a GBV organisation, but it serves women at the intersection of pregnancy and crisis — a space that overlaps significantly with GBV.

Pregnancy Crisis Centre of Hope: Bloemfontein, Free State. Phone: 082 382 8020. Email: pccofhope@gmail.com. Facebook: @pccofhope. Sub-division of Anchor of Hope Ministries (NGO, 18A registered). Website: pccofhope.org.za.