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What we do
Oceans of Mercy is involved in developing multiple projects within the Eastern Cape of South Africa:
- Orphan and Vulnerable Children Care and Support
- Christian Camps for Orphans
- Pondoland for Christ, Transkei
- Lubabalo Careworker Program
- HIV/AIDS Education and Abstinence Training
Orphan and Vulnerable Children Care and Support
Orphans and vulnerable children are a major focus of Oceans of Mercy. Through multiple avenues of care, we are touching the lives of children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa.
- Through the support of three orphan care homes in Port Elizabeth, Alexandria, and East London over 130 children are receiving housing, education, loving care and support.
- Through a Child Sponsorship Program (www.onelifechild.org) an additional 300+ are receiving support through groceries, check ups, Christian camps, counseling and education.
- Through a soup kitchen program, an additional 300+ children receive a nutritious meal every day.
- Hundreds of school children are offered HIV/AIDS education through the Choose Life program and spiritual support through VBS.
Future plans include several more orphan care centers (mostly in the Transkei) and school leadership and abstinence programs.
Christian Camps for Orphans
The first J.Bay Indaba Christian camp was held in 2008 for 100+ HIV/AIDS orphans in Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa. The camp deals with real, raw and relevant issues facing the children and youth in their unique situations. They have an opportunity to make new friends, worship and play together. Incredible experience for all involved.
Pondoland for Christ, Transkei
In partnership with several Churches and Non-governmental organizations, Pondoland for Christ is a major focus for Oceans of mercy in 2008 and beyond.
Our mission: to establish a biblically functioning community in the Transkei region of South Africa through the development and operation of orphan care centers staffed by spiritually maturing servants equipped to deliver agricultural, health, economic development and spiritual transforming educational experiences to the orphans and through them to the whole village.
Our Strategy:
- Train South Africans in Incarnational ministry (Jn 1:1, 14) "Jesus moved into the neighborhood." Message translation
- Build orphan care centers in villages through investments from individuals and churches (James 1:27) "Real religion... is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless. "
- Resource the orphan care center's operation through child sponsorship program.
Lubabalo Careworker Program
Lubabalo is Xhosa and means "grace". Lubabalo Care Training selects individuals with a heart of compassion for training in the basics of HIV/AIDS care. It involves a training program designed to give credentials, basic medications and tools for these folks to administer one-on-one care in the community. They keep their eyes open for especially vulnerable children - kids whose parents have both died from AIDS and who have no familial tie with any adult in this world. The literature refers to them as "Orphans and Vulnerable Children" or OVC's. These groups of kids are often referred to as Child-Headed Households. Literally, the oldest sibling becomes responsible for their younger brothers and sisters. These are the most vulnerable. They are easy prey in an adult world of extreme poverty, unemployment, and the unchecked pandemic of HIV. These folks have also been involved in Oceans' Child Sponsorship Program, following up on monthly delivery of food packets, and helping with soup kitchens.
HIV/AIDS Education and Abstinence Training
In addition to the Lubabalo Care Worker Training Program, Oceans of Mercy has developed an HIV/AIDS education and abstinence training program called "CHOOSE LIFE". This program helps students deal with real life problems related to HIV/AIDS, sex, abuse and promiscuity. This is taught to several hundred students each year in South African schools.
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