Author: Zeng Dieulv

Early in the new year, Heather, once again proved her worth in gold! She arranged a Fun Day, for our scholars up to grade 8, on the AISJ premises, even sending a large bus from Pretoria to collect our group and returning them safely home afterwards. There were all sorts of different activities for the children and even lunch was provided! For children who sleep in one rented room, sometimes with as many as 6 or 9 in the one family room, and with no place to play, this was a real treat. We are deeply grateful to Heather for arranging this, not to mention all her colleagues and the parents at AISJ, who  worked together to make this wonderful gift to our children possible. The photos below show how much joy was shared by all.

As mentioned, in December, our volunteers from USA, Paige and Emmanuel, had to return back to the states. In the 3 years they spent with us their contribution to our work was simply amazing. Countless are the many things they did for us. And they have carried us with them in their hearts: they hope to start an organisation in the States, to promote our Mercy work and hopefully raise funding. May they be richly rewarded and blessed for all they have done for us, and their dreams be fulfilled. Go well and of course, do not forget that you are still very much part of us!

Paige and Emmanuel crept into our hearts. Our Zeng designed this beautiful farewell poster for them.

Monday, 21st March, was a meaningful day for us. We have not had Holy Mass since Lockdown started in March 2020! That is two years – and we missed it! Our Holy Masses are always beautiful and special since we as a community are united in prayer. We were blessed to have, not just one, but 4 members of the Comboni community with us – to our surprise: Fathers Jude and Efrahim, who concelebrated, as well as Brothers Paulo and Francis. Luis and Paula Coutinho assisted with the music. Sister Clementine and her fellow sister were also there. All of these can be seen in the accompanying photo. Refreshments were served afterwards. The Holy Spirit was with us, manifest in the beauty and joy which enveloped the occasion. Thanks to all who contributed to making it such a special occasion. Now that we are more-or-less back to “normal” we look forward to a renewed returning to our Holy Masses which we usually have three or four times a year.

Saturday, 26 March, was a day of blessings, joy and gratitude at Mercy House. Quite unexpectedly, members of SVdeP, Honeydew, arrived with their car laden with much-needed utility items for Mercy House. It could not have been at a better time, since the very next Saturday, we were to have our quarterly cleaning day. They have come again several times, bringing loads of needed goods and, most especially, beautiful warm winter blankets. It was a great pleasure to have members of SVdeP with us, and they, in turn, were so pleased to get to know about our work. The photo shows us with some of our Mercy House boys, and members of SVdeP. Thanks a million, SVdeP. May your generosity be rewarded in the ways you need it most. Every good wish from us all.

It is always a joy to help others in whatever way we can. This is why Mercy House exists! A new opportunity presented itself when our resident, Brilliant, could get a job delivering, but needed a motorbike to do so. It is indeed very rare for any of our young people to be able to get work, so we did not want to miss this opportunity. Of course, we always have to acknowledge our donors, who make it possible for us to do these things. Take a bow all you out there who support us, and check how your money is used. In February 2022, we were able to buy a brand new motorbike for him, which has enabled him to now be employed and get onto his feet. Again, this is exactly why we exist! See happy boy on his bike in the photo below.

We are proud to say that we are assisting as many as 22 young people with their schooling this year. The stationery bill alone for them all came to around R10 000! It is a tall order, but the need is great, and we have risen to the challenge! They spread out over 11 different schools. In addition to the schooling, we are also supporting Dioscor through a 4-year degree in Supply Chain Management. At the end of last year, Moise completed a two-year course in Information Technology. We are currently trying to find a course in Sports Management for one of our boys who matriculated last year. In the photos below, you can see Peter, whom we enrolled at Phoenix in March as a grade 8 student. We have 7 students there this year. The other photo is of Joyce, whom we enrolled for grade 1 at Bertram’s Junior.

John was brought to us from Goma, DRC, when he was 7 years old. (see photo of him with Sister Fidelis at the time). His parents lost their lives when he was only a few months old in the violence in Eastern DRC. We put him through school and he even had the honour of being elected head boy ( see photo below).

Having completed English exams in catering, he got a job at an upmarket retirement village north of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, due to Covid, the restaurant where he worked, was closed. Since then, he has not been able to get work, so we have equipped him with the where-with-all to get his own business going. Attached is the flyer designed by our USA volunteer, Paige, and house leader, Zeng, which we hope to distribute. All systems go to try to get his catering business off the ground. Good luck John.