Mercy Haven going strong

During an AGM held on June 25, it was revealed that Mercy Haven enjoyed an overall successful 2021/22.

Mercy Haven offers emergency accommodation for abused women and children.

In his report, Mercy Haven chairperson Daryl Gabin explained the organisation embarked on a strategy of improving marketing, building maintenance and client intake.

This strategy was successfully carried out and Mercy Haven is grateful for each board member.

“Described as the country’s second pandemic by President Cyril Ramaphosa, GBV is still increasing at an alarming rate, making it one of the world’s unsafe places for women.

“According to statistics, a woman is murdered every three hours in South Africa. Mercy Haven was able to address part of the country’s crises this year. Thank you to the team.

“Mercy Haven’s annual client intake target was 300 and they they achieved 294, 21% more than last year. Of this, 53% were women, 24% were boys and 23% were girls.

“Mercy Haven will be including the Trafficking in Persons programme this year and look forward to addressing this crisis that South Africa faces,” he said.

On behalf of the board of Mercy Haven, he thanked the management and staff.

“Our gratitude also goes out to the Franciscan Order, Sisters of Mercy, the Department of Social Development (DSD), Teboho Lempe Registered Auditors and the many donors and volunteers,” he added.

It was also revealed that Mercy Haven received a clean audit and the centre was financially healthy. Funding is received from the DSD and client intake.

Donations are well supported ranging from individuals to the private sector.

In her report, centre manager Maria Pereira said in the last couple of months they have noticed a worrying trend regarding client intake.

“About 80% of the clients test positive for drugs, sometimes even testing positive for multiple drugs. The trend will affect client intake as the Department of Social Development have ruled that we cannot accommodate a client who tests positive for drugs.

“We’ll only be able to accommodate them for 24 hours in the event that the clients arrives after hours. Stricter measures will be put into place to ensure that we do not admit any substance abusers, thereby putting our clients and staff at risk.

“Presently, our clients are taught skills in making a fleece blanket, nail care, art, baking, decorating cakes, costing, and gardening. All pre-school children attend a local crèche. We do not have any children attending school at the moment.

“To create more visibility, Mercy Haven is embarking on a brand awareness campaign whereby our staff will have a corporate uniform. We will have a gazebo set up which includes a table, two chairs and pop-up banners. Signage will also be installed throughout our house’s designating the different areas,” she said.

The manager added their generous donors have blessed them with two new frost free fridges/freezers and a Speed Queen automatic washing machine.

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