Ten years of helping women and children – Mercy Haven

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Women taken in at the centre are provided with basic needs such as nutrition, primary healthcare and clothing, education and developmental assistance and where possible, are reunited with their families.

These are the main objectives of the organisation.

According to the organisation’s manager, Rose Taggart, in the last year, they have managed to reunite plus minus 20 women and their children with their families in other parts of the country.

“Many come to Gauteng, but when they don’t find employment, they will look out of desperation for security in a relationship, even if the relationship is not healthy, which often can lead to abuse.

“Some then contract the HIV virus and are then ashamed to go home to their family. We then help by establishing contact with their family, and to make sure the home environment is healthy,” explains Taggart.

Taggart says the organisation has assisted four teenagers in returning to school and completing their matric, while three women have completed a sewing skills course and three others have completed computer classes.

There are 15 women and 13 children currently residing at Mercy Haven’s Ubuntu house.

“Many of the women are involved in training programmes such bookkeeping, welding and computers. Most of the children are at crèche or school, and a few mothers are being assisted with getting documents from Home Affairs and applying for child grants.”

She says the achievements have been made possible through the generosity of donors, the Department of Social Development (which subsidises their project with approximately half their running costs) and the help of a family who pays one of their salaries, while giving a monthly meat donation.

“Through ongoing fundraising initiatives, we have managed to meet our commitments. We, however, will continue to appeal for monetary support or donations, especially dry goods.

“We would love to develop a core of community members and small businesses committing to donating money on a monthly basis.”