MercyAids’ first project was a support programme for families infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. With the help of the local clinic run by WonLife we identified the neediest families they were in contact with. The project was launched in February of 2005 and is still up and running. We did what we could and with the introduction of free ARV medication a few years back the lives of the supported families have improved a lot.
In 2009 Resilient Kids got involved in Fisantekraal training adults to work with orphans and vulnerable children. In the past few years we have run kids clubs with community support. In 2012 we are looking to expand the work with children and families in extreme poverty. We are actively working with the Fisantekraal Shalom Trust to strengthen a network to grow the support of children in need in this area. We are excited about our partnerships and the plans for 2012. We still do not have the land, but we are actively working for it.
Mfuleni...
Since the end of 2005 we have been involved with Philippi Trust in their OVC department. In the beginning it was limited to the camp work and later grew into training for the camp and longer sustainable children’s works in communities.
Through the OVC work we met Regina Gcwabe in Mfuleni at the beginning of 2006. She was doing all kinds of community work and we developed many dreams with her to grow a big support network for orphans and vulnerable children. We had the pleasure of working with her for 2 years. We helped her with funds to build a home that she had dreamed of to house orphans. Sadly, in 2007 Regina died a week after we had had a big dream session with her and how we were going to expand the work with training, more camps and kids clubs. Her daughter Nondumiso took over the home from her; we were blown away by her choice and willingness to do this. However, she never adopted the greater vision of her mother for the area which is understandable considering Nondumiso had a full time job and Regina could do her community work full time. Although the soup kitchen continued for a while on a smaller scale and the home became home to 14 children, the greater network in the area never grew. We have given lots of support to the home since its start, but our role has always been support, it was never “our” home. At the end of last year, Nondumiso let us know that she no longer was able to run the home. She needed to focus on her own children and it was all just getting to much for her. This was very sad, but we understood. She sacrificed a lot to keep the home going for so long and we are very grateful for all she did. We worked with her to make sure all children were placed with family or in safety. One of the children will stay in her care as she has nowhere to go. On the 22nd of December, 2011 Regina’s Hope officially closed doors. This was very sad for us, but we also were aware that the big dream we had for Mfuleni was a shared vision with a woman who had died 4 years ago. We will remain involved with the children and continue to support two women and their children that had to leave until they are secure on their feet. One grew up with Regina, the other was rescued by Regina about 5 years ago out of a close to starvation environment in KZN. We have learnt amazing lessons through this experience in Mfuleni and know that we can draw a lot on those lessons as we grow the work we are doing in Fisantekraal.
Du Noon...
In 2008 we got involved with Patricia in Dunoon. We have walked with her and watched this work grow from one room to a thriving community project. We have seen a preschool established and resourced with toys and jungle gyms. We have watched preschool teachers develop. We have supported Patricia and she has developed a strong network for people with HIV. She has home base carers and support groups. We have been able to support the soup kitchen that feeds vulnerable children. The project has also now got a swop-shop where people from the community can swop their trash for food and clothing. It is a wonderful initiative. We would like to continue supporting Patricia and her organisation Zusakhe. This year we would like to see her get the board and support she needs to run all her programs effectively. She will soon have a fully functioning NGO. What a celebration.
2012...
In 2012 we will continue to do camps and training as the doors open up but we will put a lot of concerted effort into Fisantekraal.
