A Place of Mercy and Hope

The Place of Mercy and Hope opened its newest project, a Baby and Toddler Care centre in July 2019. The Centre, sponsored by Cape Span, a long-time supporter, has capacity for caring for over twenty children (age’s 0-3 years) allowing parents to continue their daily work on orange farms knowing their children are in a safe and caring environment.

The Place of Mercy and Hope, under the banner Marist Mercy Care, is known for its mission helping the poor in the Sunday’s River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa and has been doing so for the past 13 years.

Protagonists of the project are the Sisters of Mercy, Marta and Breda, and Jason Grieve, a lay Marist.

Marist Mercy Care is a joint project between the Marist Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy, with the participation of several lay people and volunteers.

There are many disadvantaged people living in Addo in informal as well as planned settlements. For the past 13 years, Marist Mercy Care has been helping the people of these communities through a day care and a pre-school that educates 160 disadvantaged children, as well as a soup kitchen that distributes food to 400 children and adults weekly. It also runs a clinic for the sick and dying and provides information courses to 300 people.

Place of Mercy and Hope not only helps communities, but also provides employment for the most vulnerable and offers educational development when funds are available. Currently, the non-profit organization has a staff of thirteen people. The Center is inspired by the spirit of Marist Brother Christopher and the Sisters of Mercy Martha and Breda.

In August 2019, Marist Mercy Care welcomed Lea and Cazrine, two young people who will be volunteering for ten months. Lea is a former Marist student who joined through CMI, and Cazrine is a local South African volunteer.