Mother of Peace Illovo looks ahead, reflects on fruitful 2017
The NPO has ambitious plans for the year ahead, with the goal of making the NPO an even more sustainable organisation.
LOWER Illovo’s Mother of Peace (MOP) continued to bring love and happiness to many children this festive season.
Reflecting on the past year, the non-profit organisation beamed at the positive changes it had made, while looking forward to the new year and sharing the many ways the community can get involved.
The NPO ran a Christmas holiday programme from its base in Lower Illovo on Monday, 11 December. The days filled with art and craft, games, sports, movies and educational and vocational talks brought cheer to the children. There were evening activities including a burger night, lasagna night and movie nights as well as an organised Secret Santa.
MOP is especially proud of the success of its phytotherapy clinic.
“Running the clinic for the children and staff at Mother of Peace Illovo has been a wonderful experience,” said phytotherapist Mary Carpenter. “Every splinter, stomach-ache and scraped knee has given me a chance to get to know each child a little better, and has given our children a chance to show their bravery.
I admire the children for taking my prescribed medicine so well – natural medicine is a whole lot more ‘tasty’ than conventional medicine – but not always more pleasant tasting. Our homemade herbal vapour rub, the children’s love of the lemons from our orchard, and the raw, unfiltered honey from our bees was just enough to soothe all of our sore throats.”
Read all about Mary Carpenter: Spend some ‘thyme’ with Phytotherapist
As there are no office hours when it comes to caring for a sick child, Mary extended her gratitude and thanks to the housemothers who implemented care plans, stayed up with those who were ill and ensured they made a full recovery.
MOP Illovo thanked Intercare Medical Centre, as well as local government clinics and hospitals for all the medical assistance they rendered.
In addition to basic social work services throughout last year, holiday programmes were run for the children, including a ‘dare to dream’ programme, a substance abuse awareness programme, and family-themed movie viewing sessions.
“These sessions provided a platform for discussing family values in relation to children’s rights and making right choices. Such programmes are aimed at helping each child to be the best they are meant to be,” said Mary.
The NPO has ambitious plans for the year ahead, with the goal of making the NPO a more sustainable organisation.
Its most crucial challenge is to find funds to use for:
- Operating costs, such as electricity, water and so on
- Children’s food
- Medical expenses for children
- Education
- Transport
- Salaries
- Maintenance of the property and buildings
To ask about Mother of Peace’s sponsor a child programme, to assist in any way or find out more, contact Colleen at colleen@motherofpeace.org.za.
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