Author: Zeng Dieulv

Our Christmas celebration this year was truly unique in that, in addition to the gift giving, we also had with us Isabel – a young woman who is both a puppeteer and ventriloquist, telling the Christmas story through her puppet, Rosie. The photos will show just how amazed our children were – never before had they seen a doll who could ask questions and talk to them! After Isabel’s wonderful performance, we gave out gifts to each of the 60 or more people present – kids, teenagers, mothers, young adults. A HUGE big thank you to Isabel but also to Mrs Jenny Stevens who provided gifts for every single person present. You two ladies really made the day for so many and gave a huge amount of joy to so many.  Each gift had been chosen according to the age and gender of the individual, named and beautifully wrapped. This huge task was undertaken by Jenny, who not only raised the funding but also, with her team from her company, Makuru, did the wrapping. All in all, it was a truly wonderful occasion and blessed.

3 Cheers to Ms Heather Baatjies and the PTA of the American International School in Pretoria, for once again inviting us to their annual Fun Day.  The fun happened on Saturday, 3 February 2024 and fun it was!  The school spoilt us by sending 2 large busses to fetch us – just under 40 in all.  They also brought us back.  Whilst members of the AISJ community had to pay for their fun, our young people were allowed everything, including a delicious lunch, for free. The armband which they got as they walked in distinguished them for this privilege.  The Disney Land style activities were something that our young people would never otherwise be able to enjoy! There was face painting, different waterslides, swimming, soccer, a photo kiosk and even a man-made dam with a suspended chair on top.  Teachers volunteered one by one to sit in the suspended chair.  If a child could hit a target when they threw a ball, the teacher tumbled into the water. Even the principal participated in this and he tumbled down!   The pictures attached show some of the activities. Once again, a huge thank you to AISJ and especially to Heather, who worked hard and so efficiently, to get this off the ground for us.

May you be adequately rewarded.

One day in September 2015, when Diana was teaching English to refugees at the Catholic Cathedral, a young teenage boy came and asked for help. His family had moved to Mozambique and left him behind with the family where they used to reside. Unfortunately, this did not work out – he ended up with no one to help him and no place to stay. He was very stressed.

Fortunately, Mercy House was able to step in and this changed his life completely. We put Ivan into Phoenix College where he completed his matric. As he wanted to be a teacher, we asked Holy Family College principal, Frank Sobreiro, if he would take him as a learner teacher. Frank magnanimously agreed and it was not long before he picked up the calibre of this young man. So much so, that the school offered to pay his fees for a 4-year degree in education. This gift included living on-site and a very small allowance for survival.

In December 2023 Ivan completed his degree and is now a full-time teacher at Holy Family.  And loving it! We owe enormous gratitude to Holy Family College and especially also to Mr Frank Sobreiro, for this magnanimous gesture and participation in our Mercy work – to assist young people, who in spite of the most adverse circumstances, are able to build their lives and get onto their feet. We are VERY proud of our Ivan! Congratulations Holy Family.

One day a young teenager from Sudan came to Mercy House asking for help. His name is Felix.   He had come down from that war-torn country and really had nothing. The first impression of him was his incredible optimism about life and his unforgettable smile!   He confidently told Diana that he wanted to be a doctor.  She laughed, never guessing what surprises the future would hold!

Felix moved into Mercy House and stayed with us for about 7 years.  During that time, he registered for a degree in Medical Research at Wits University. His total determination and belief that the impossible would become possible carried him resiliently all the way.  He also put in a lot of effort to get there.  He used to go and sell cleaning materials, even ice cream in the streets.  He used to study into the early hours of the morning to achieve his goal.  He also managed to get help from Sudanese Dr Emmanuel Taban, (who in turn had also been helped by Mercy House to get to his goal of now being a specialist gynaecologist), as well as other sources. Against all odds- Felix got there.

This January 2024, our Felix graduated with a doctorate in his field and is working at a research institute in Durban. Dr Felix Made your remarkable achievement has only been possible through your unquenchable determination to fulfil your dream.  You are amazing! Well done!

On Sunday, 11 February, we had a wonderful surprise! Angolan, Jacinto, came to visit us. He had moved into Mercy House in the late nineties as a young boy and stayed with us for about ten years. At that time there was terrible insecurity and unrest in Angola, amounting to war. His mother wanted him to get him to safety and engaged an Angolan man to take

him to South Africa and care for him. The man brought him down, but did not honour the agreement. He left the young boy alone in Johannesburg without any place to stay. This was how he got to us.

We put Jacinto into school. He distinguished himself by bringing to Mercy House an unwanted puppy that was being thrown away – setting the precedent that also dogs are welcome! We called her Princess and she was hugely loved. She stayed with us until she died in old age. After he had left school, Jacinto decided to go back to Angola. There he married Teresa and both got jobs with an airline company in Angola. They now have three children.

We were extremely happy to see him, but even happier was Jacinto himself, to see old friends and to see how much Mercy House has developed since he was there. We were able to buy him a laptop, since they are extremely hard to get and hugely expensive in his home country. Go well, Jacinto. You will always remain part of the Mercy family. Thank you for coming.

Saturday, 25 November 2023, was a great day for the family of Mama Lawi (also known as Anamarie). It was the wedding of her oldest daughter, Ester, to David Kahigima, whose parents were also able to attend.  The venue was a really beautiful place near Mercy House – the Observatory Golf Club. Their church service was conducted by their pastor in the beautiful garden and the subsequent reception was in the club centre.  What made it all the more special was that the bride’s mother made many of the dresses that the bridesmaids etc wore. So much preparation and hard work had obviously gone into this.

This year we are supporting 20 young people with schooling in one or another way. We have 2 students in matric, whom we have been supporting since they were very young, and last December, our young Congolese orphan, Princess, passed matric with a Bachelor’s pass. We thank Mr Paddy Faller, who did the mammoth task of getting the required stationery wrapped to order for everyone.