Projects
Food Security
Chickens
From the second quarter of 2008, Mother of Peace Illovo with the support of Nedbank and Rotary re‐established a Poultry Project, whereby day old chickens are purchased and then reared until they can be sold in order to generate a profit or used as a source of protein within the project. It took some time, but under the strict management of Pierre (one of our French volunteers), this project has now succeeded in becoming profitable.
Initially there were many challenges that had to be faced, including an unusually high mortality rate which took much perseverance and innovative thinking to address. Pierre managed to overcome this high mortality rate by introducing a very strict regime which included changing the types of shavings for the floor, new and better disinfectants, vitamins and even sourcing day old chicks from different suppliers.
The success of this project has meant that in addition to added income and food we have also been able to provide employment for two people, who now possess the skills required for poultry farming. This project has also strengthened our ties to the surrounding community who provide the market for our broilers.
Vegetable gardens
Our own vegetable gardens are producing fresh vegetables such as carrots, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and beetroot. Our aim in growing vegetables is to be completely self sufficient, thereby providing nutritious meals to our children every day. Surplus vegetables will be used in our day care facility ensuring vulnerable children from surrounding communities are able to access proper nutrition.
Earth boxes
Operation Lionheart donated 500 earth boxes to Mother of Peace for vegetable growing. These earth boxes will help us to grow over 3.000 vegetable plants in an organic way. More information about the earth box system on: http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/what_is.html
Building Projects
Chapel
Our new chapel, sponsored by Friend of Mother of Peace, Ireland, was officially opened on the 4th of April 2009. The chapel is used twice a day for prayers and there is mass every morning.
Ablution block Inkwali Primary School
Sponsored by “Friends of Mother of Peace” – Ireland. Inkwali Primary school has assisted in the education of our children for the past 7 years. In order to give something back it was decided to build proper ablution facilities for the approximately 400 children attending the school. Before this all of the children had to share 2 pit latrines. Upon completion this project will provide 18 flushable toilets.
Infirmary
In order to properly address the impact that HIV/AIDS has on orphaned and vulnerable children placed at Mother of Peace, sponsorship was sought from various local and international funders in order to provide a facility that would cater for the medical needs of our children. This facility will deal with day to day health issues but can also act as a safe place where proper palliative care can be provided where needed. In this way children will receive all of the love and support they deserve during the last stages of their lives.
Stadium
The stadium has been refurbished and fenced by The Boyne Valley Farmers Group – Ireland. This stadium is now used by our children, local schools and the local community. It has become a focal point for weekend soccer matches.
2 New Houses
3 groups of Irish volunteers came out in 2009 to build 2 more homes sponsored by Friends of Mother of Peace – Ireland. The finishing touches such as tiling, cupboards and plumbing should be completed in early 2010.
These 2 new houses will enable us to care for another 12 children in need.
Future projects
We currently have 11 houses that have been upgraded. In order to meet our objectives a further 9 houses would need to be renovated.
Situated where we are, Mother of Peace Illovo is fortunate to have at its disposal, land that can be further developed agriculturally in order to assist in raising funds thereby making us more self sufficient.
There are a number of other smaller projects which are planned for once funding has been sourced. Please feel free to contact us should you acquire any further information about these.
