Klipheuwel is an informal settlement bordering the suburb of Durbanville in the Northern areas of Cape Town. It is an extremely disadvantaged community. The people live in informal structures (shacks) made out of second hand roof sheets and other second hand materials. The roofs usually leak profusely during the Cape winter rains. Many of these structures house whole families and consist of only one or two rooms.

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A few communal taps provide the only water. Often the taps are dry.

Sanitation is basic – small concrete structures outside their homes that house chemical type toilets. Many do not function properly.  

Jobs are few and not well paid in this area and so many survive only on meagre social grants. Children and adults often go without food. Transport into the closest shops and medical care is expensive and limited. Many are not able to travel regularly. Up until recently, the only medical care was a mobile clinic that visited once or twice a month.

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Despite these hardships, the people of Klipheuwel are friendly, warm, loving people with a real joy for life.