ORGANISATION PROFILE

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Our Vision

“Building Families, Building a Nation”

Our Mission

Mother of Peace Communities is a non-profit and public benefit organisation that works to restore traditional

family life to orphaned, distressed and vulnerable children. We are a sustainable community that strives to

develop the whole child by nurturing and creating an environment that supports physical, emotional, social,

mental and spiritual wellbeing.

At the core of our mission, we strongly believe that each child has the right to be safe, to belong, to be heard

and to grow up in a happy family environment.

ABOUT MOTHER OF PEACE, Illovo

Mother of Peace was first established in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1989 by twins Beverley Olbers and Rene

van Meygaarden (deceased). Since then, two more communities have started up in Zimbabwe – 1994 and

Illovo – 2004.

Throughout the period 2002 – 2011, roughly half of all orphans in South Africa have been located in KwaZulu-

Natal and the Eastern Cape. KwaZulu-Natal has the largest child population and the highest orphan numbers,

with 27% of children in the province recorded as orphans. Recognising that the absence of a family

environment would have a detrimental effect on the future of our nation; Mother of Peace – Illovo was

opened based on the needs of children affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Kwazulu-Natal. The need expanded to

distressed, vulnerable and abused children. Today 81 children call Mother of Peace Illovo home. It is led by

Gavin Gradwell (Director and Community Leader) and his wife Linda supported by 45 staff members in core

and support functions. We are a Section 21 Company, Public Benefit and Non- Profit Organisation with a

current level 4 BBBEE Rating.

Our shareholders :

Individual Race Gender

Mr P A King White, South African Male

Ms S L Mgobozi Black, South African Female

Bishop B Wood White, South African Male

Bishop P Dlungwane Black, South African Male

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Mr G Gradwell White, South African Male

Mrs B Olbers White South African Female

Fr A Chiliza Black, South African Male

Mother of Peace operates as a Cluster Foster Care community where children are placed in a family

environment in a home headed by a house mother with six children.

OUR GOALS

To restore the family system torn by disease and other society ills

To ignite their potential and raise them as responsible members of society

To provide palliative care to vulnerable children

To provide a sound spiritual foundation that instils values and encourages children to pay it forward

towards a transformed and thriving society

“Our dream is for every child to reach their maximum potential and live a purpose-driven life. Children

are our key to transforming the world. Let’s give them a chance.”

PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES THAT SUPPORT THE DREAM

Mother of Peace relies on funding and support from Private Donors, Organisations and Religious

Institutions. We are not funded by government; every child receives a small grant towards child care.

It however takes a village to raise a child and Mother of Peace Communities carries this philosophy.

The child is the centre of Mother of Peace and needs supporting systems to thrive. The family

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structure is the primary system, followed by the community and it is the sponsors, partners and

donors who support us and set the dream in motion.

Core Programmes

Education

We have an Early Childhood Development Centre and Primary School that provides quality education in a

nurturing environment. Our classes are small which allows the teachers to give individual attention whilst

focussing on the individual needs of the child. Many children have been through extremely traumatic

experiences and in developing the whole child, they will have a greater chance of developing their full

potential. We have a skills class for children who need special attention and additional support. The school

encourages practical skills and has included sewing and baking in the curriculum. A fully fledged workshop that

enhances artisan skills and capacity will launched in the last quarter of 2014.

Child and Health Care

A Social Worker heads the Child and Health Care Department which focusses on the provision of

counselling, emotional, social welfare and the health of the child. The community has a separate infirmary

on site to enhance these goals.

Sustainable Projects

Poultry Rearing

As a source of produce and income, day old broiler chickens are purchased and reared for sale. This project has

been running since 2008 and has strengthened our ties with the surrounding communities we supply to. It has

also allowed us to train two full-time staff with the skills needed to begin their own farming businesses in the

future.

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Vegetable Gardens

Our gardens produce carrots, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, onions and beetroot. Our tomatoes are

grown in vegetable tunnels and earth boxes. We consume our own produce and supply to our day care. Any

excess is sold to local outlets.

SKILLS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

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We invest in our personnel especially those directly involved in the care of the children. We work to empower

our staff through skills upgrading i.e. first aid, parenting skills etc.

Our aim is to create further avenues for skills training and entrepreneurship especially for the children who are

raised at Mother of Peace to equip them with skills and opportunities to contribute to the main stream

economy. We aim to create greater partnerships with the surrounding community to create opportunities for

employment and sustainability.

Bracelets made by Mother of Peace children

SOCIAL INVESTMENT : PARTNER WITH US

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to the generally voluntary involvement, or investment, of

companies in social projects that help advance the society / the community in which they operate in. The

launch of valuable CSR initiatives not only helps solve pending social issues, but also empowers local

individuals to be part of their own communities’ economic growth. The best way to reach these goals is to

form partnerships with a dynamic NPO that can help organisations expand the reach of its CSR actions and to

serve local communities in a more efficient and impactful way. Investing in a child is a powerful way to

transform our society. Investing in Mother of Peace, Illovo is a valuable investment.

Mother of Peace offers various opportunities for involvement and partnership through:

Sponsor a Child/ Sponsor a Home

Development and Enhancement of Education Facilities, Help us grow one grade per year,

sponsor a grade, Training and Development for Teachers and Social Workers

Nutrition development and Health Care enhancement

Socio-psychological support

Infrastructure Development, Renovations and expansion

Together as a nation, we have the obligation to put sunshine into the hearts

of our little ones. They are our precious possessions. They deserve what

happiness life can offer. Nelson Mandela

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Operational Support and Funding of Projects and Programmes

In-service training or experiential learning : We can help your students/ employees gain

experience in various projects

Donations towards daily operation expenses : food, clothing etc

Community Upliftment and development through the support of our sustainable projects

and expansion of new projects

Help us grow our Entrepreneurial base by supporting our Beading Project

Partner with Mother of Peace Illovo for charity events and fundraising activities.

Partner with us for Mandela Day in July and give 67 minutes of your time.

Whatever business you’re in, whatever skills you have, you can contribute and help us

develop a child, build families and build a nation.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT MOTHER OF PEACE

“The best thing that Mother of Peace gave me is an education” Ntomikayise Maphumulo who lived at Mother

of Peace for 8 years. After matriculating she lived at the Halfway House to prepare for her transition. She

studied Office Management and is now employed at a large corporation in Durban.

“…..but being present in those moments feels like treasures in my mind. The rustle of sugarcane as the

breeze blows lightly by. The patterns it makes in the grass, vapour from my glass and the sunshine, laughter

long after a conversation has ended, the smiles..” Joy Wong from Singapore describing her experience and

personal fulfilment.

“Loved my time spent with you.” Thank you.” Tommy O’ Connor, UK

CONTACT US

Arrange a site tour at 197 Old Mill Road, Lower Illovo or contact Iris Canham on 031 916 2299 or

iris@motherofpeace.org.za.

More companies have realised the need for inspiration in the workplace where Employee

Wellness and Personal Development have become priorities. We design uplifting programmes

that improve morale, promote a deeper sense of purpose and can have an inspiring effect on

personnel and on your organisation.

Volunteers from various countries have come to Mother of Peace and found inspiration that has

enhanced their work goals, helped them transform their lives and inspired them to transform

the lives of others.