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1999 - 2001
The Chairman, Fr Stefan Hippler, was approached by doctors of the Tygerberg Academic Health Complex to investigate a supportive solution for the  care treatment of HIV+ children in 1999.  Extensive consultation together with Dr. Monika Esser led to the establishment of the first dedicated ward for the tertiary care of HIV+ children, the Ithemba, infectious diseases, ward (G7).

The project was a joint effort between the German speaking Catholic Community, Rotary Club of Signal Hill, University of Stellenbosch (Faculty of Health Sciences) and the Tygerberg Academic Health Complex.

• 29 October 2001 official opening of the Ithemba ward and the launch of HOPE Cape Town HIV Outreach Programme and Education.
• HOPE starts offering training programmes on prevention, peer counselling, treatment and stigma to businesses, NGOs and medical staff.

2002

• February 2002 the Ithemba is occupied
• The launch of the Community Health Worker programme with the placement of Constance Mayaba in the Mfuleni clinic and Melinda Onverwacht in Elsies River.
• An agreement with the hospital is signed to raise funding for triple therapy and put children on treatment with the consent of their parents.
• Visit of a Delegation of the Health Portfolio Committee of the German Parliament

2003

• Initial meeting between sangomas and western doctors to investigate the possibility of a working relationship to improve access to information on the HIV/AIDS epidemic
• Another Community Health Worker employed in Wallacedene.
• HOPE Cape Town starts the HAART treatment for 40 children and caregivers.
• A research component is built into the programme to record the merits and side effects of the treatment for the benefit of patients in the future.
• Criteria are put in place for the selection of patients as many potential patients were too weak to benefit from the treatment.
• The Children’ Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit (KID-Cru) is opened in September to conduct HIV clinical trials for the benefit of children and their families.
• Nutritional Support was introduced as the medication makes people hungry but many cannot afford to buy food.  Not having food is a big risk to people not adhering to their treatment.
• Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Germany), Mr. Joschka Fischer
• Featured in a SABC 1 programme on Faith and HIV/AIDS
• HOPE Cape Town produced its own DVD and video
• HOPE Cape Town featured on German TV in a 45 minutes documentary

2004

• Two workshops held with sangomas and doctors looking at the virus and the different approached to illness.
• Three Community Health Workers employed in Delft, Mount Pleasant Hermanus and Bloekombos.
• Administrator and PA to the Chairman employed.
• The government starts its antiretroviral treatment programme.
• The family clinic for infectious diseases is opened at Tygerberg Academic Health complex and is working well.
• Chairman presented a paper at the Impact on Theology conference in Stuttgart (Bad Boll)  “AIDS from an African Perspective”
• German AIDS Foundation held a TV Gala which also benefited HOPE Cape Town
• Radio interview on Radio Veritas
• The Chairman presented a paper at the University of Stellenbosch Institute of Theology and Ecumenical Studies conference on “Co-operation between Companies and NGO’s and their Battle against AIDS”.

2005

• Nine sangomas and Community Health Workers complete the 6 week counselling training.  A memorandum of understanding was signed between the traditional healers, doctors and HOPE Cape Town
• 12 community Health Workers employed in Belhar, Bellville South, Bishop Lavis, Delft, Durbanville, Goodwood, Mfuleni, Paarl, Valhalla Park and Zwelihle.
• Training and Compliance Officer employed
• Programme Supervisor resigned
• Visit of the Deputy Chairperson of the Bavarian Parliament, Dr. Barbara Stamm
• Chairman Fr Hippler presented a paper at the National AIDS Conference in Durban “Bringing Worlds Together – On Establishing a Referral System between Traditional Healers and Day Clinics in Township Communities”
• Meeting with the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the German AIDS Foundation, Dr. Rita Suessmuth
• 30 children and adults receiving antiretroviral treatment through HOPE.  They will be incorporated into the provincial treatment programme in 2006. 
• Traditional healer programme filmed for SABC
• Visit of the former Minister of Health of Finland
• Featured on a German TV Benefice programme (German AIDS Foundation)
• The Chairman Fr Hippler conducted the wedding of two HIV+ people at the Tygerberg Academic Health Complex chapel.

2006 - 2007

• Three Community Health Workers employed in Grabouw and Delft.
• Programme Supervisor and Outreach Officer employed
• HOPE CAPE TOWN Trust launched at the Ball of HOPE on 6 May 2006
• Sangomas and Community Health Workers offering counselling in the community.
• Visit of a delegation of the German Catholic Bishop's Conference
• Memorandum of understanding signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Health (University of Stellenbosch) and the Chairperson of HOPE Cape Town
• Participation at the World AIDS Conference in Toronto / Canada
• Radio interview on Bush Radio
• HOPE Cape Town is five years old.
• Dr. Monika Esser takes over the chairpersonship of the HOPE Cape Town Association.
• HOPE Kapstadt Stiftung Germany is launched in 2007
• Visit of the German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel
• End of 2007: 27 employees are working for HOPE Cape Town