This article is from page 47 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 47 JPG
OF THE 125,000 people living in dire poverty in the townships of Port Elizabeth, 60 per cent of them are being helped by a mission started under a tree by one Little Company of Mary nun from Clare.
Missionvale works through joined up thinking, with care workers go- ing out to visit the sick and picking up on other needs, like food or help with claiming a pension and bringing those cases to the food kitchens and the social worker.
In turn the social worker can alert the caregivers that a client of theirs is ill.
Each day, 750 families get a half a loaf and soup at the feeding station
and a further 1,250 families get a food parcel every week.
The clinic on site refers at least 60 new cases each day to Sr Ethel for help with other needs.
Families ‘adopted’ by Sr Ethel have their children’s school transport costs and fees paid as all schools charge fees in South Africa. The family is given two sets of clothing twice a year from clothing donations to Mis- sionvale.
Sr Ethel’s team also ensures that households headed by children where parents have died of AIDS, are fed, get to continue their schooling and are taught basic cooking and house- keeping skills.
The young adults who head these homes in turn help with the centre’s
programme for orphans and vulner- able children. (OVC)
More that 170 children are attend- ing the pre-primary school at any given time and 500 children are giv- en what may be their only meal every day by the OVC.
A total of 74 people have work in the centre’s gardens, craft and car- pentry centres as well as the school, caring and feeding programmes.
Running costs for the centre are €150,000 a year – a pittance in Irish terms but a stunning amount in a country where factory workers earn SOOM: (cle) @
Donations for Missionvale can be sent to Ethel Normoyle Account No: 40354101 Sort Code: 985680 Ulster Bank, Ennis.