Mother of Peace started out as a community of Catholic Christians with an aim to live and pray together in Zimbabwe.
But with the HIV/Aids epidemic at it’s highest in 1997, they decided to take in children affected by the virus. A South African branch was opened in North Riding six years later to take in more orphaned and abandoned children.
Valerie Barbeito and Patricia Prinsloo from the North Riding branch were just what the children needed in their time of loss, providing a loving and stable home. They are full-time live-in volunteers at Mother of Peace.
“The first building on the property was a chapel for private use but we decided that you can’t only pray together but have to do good things in the community as well,” said Prinsloo.
“Parents and children were dying” added Barbeito.
“But 15 years later, we have a few young children and some of the children we took in initially have grown up, others have left the home and others are looking for work.”
Affectionately called Mama Pat and Mama Val by the children, the women now take care of 16 children of varying ages, as well as some who have physical and mental disabilities. However, the women don’t do it alone as they have three foster mothers who help take care of the children.
“Some are over 18 but are physically disabled and we can’t just throw them out. We are helping them get jobs so they can be able to take care of themselves. For other children, we look for a relative they can be reunited with but it depends on the circumstances,” said Prinsloo.
Although Mother of Peace is struggling, they have an abundance of blessings from the community in the form of groceries and second-hand clothing donations. However, they need assistance in the running costs of the organisation as they have vehicles to maintain.
“Because of the terrible roads, they always need repairing and the vehicle also has to be filled with fuel,” said Barbeito.
“Our electricity is very high although we use gas to cook and the geysers for the children to shower. We have a driver and gardener as well as foster mothers to take care of. We do however have help from the KFC Add Hope campaign and AIAC Air Conditioning has been helping us. Family and friends also help us with small donations to help us try and keep us afloat.”
The pair dream of being in a scenario where they can meet their running costs and have a broad base of people who donate just a little.
“People who are happy to support us would help us tremendously. We are also in need of boys, teenage boys and young men’s clothes because the donations we receive are always for girls and young women, for which we’re grateful.”
For more information, contac Mama Val in 082 562 7438 or Mama Pat on 076 279 7963.
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