Become familiar with Mother of Peace-Illovo
The community, that started 19 years ago, aids children who have been abandoned, orphaned or abused.
MOTHER of Peace is situated in Lower Illovo and has been led by Gavin and Linda Gradwell since 2003.
Mother of Peace was first established in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1989. Since then, two more communities have started up in Zimbabwe (1994) and Illovo (2002).
Mother of Peace-Illovo was opened based on the needs of children affected by the HIV/Aids crisis in KwaZulu-Natal.
The community, that started 19 years ago, aids children who have been abandoned, orphaned or abused.
“We care for these vulnerable children, and endeavour to provide the structure of a home and family, while maintaining their own language and cultural identities.
ALSO READ: Raise funds for charity with city run
Our goal is to bring them up as responsible members of society and provide palliative care to those who are terminally ill,” said Mother of Peace project manager, Michael Denton-Cooke.
“Having regard for the needs, interests and well-being of the general public, all Mother of Peace communities strive to meet the particular needs of the area in which the community lives and operates, by aiding persons in distress,” said Denton-Cooke.
Being a registered public benefit programme/ organisation (PBO), means they rely solely on donations and sponsors, which go towards maintaining a safe and clean environment, access to education, food, utilities, transport and the provision of medication as some of children are HIV positive.
“We currently have 55 children, 10 house mothers that look after up to six children per home, which helps provides stability and a sense of family living, a poultry farm and an 800 seater school, which has closed down due to finances.
It costs us around R2 500 per child a month. We have a ‘sponsor a child’ or ‘sponsor a home’ initiative, whereby any business or person can donate an amount of R50 plus per month,” said Denton-Cooke.
For more information, call 074 286 4452, visit their Facebook page or banking details: Mother of Peace, FNB branch code: 250655, account number: 62085504267, reference: MAD/ name.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there? Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
