House of Mercy reports stable three-year period at AGM

At its 31st AGM on April 5, House of Mercy drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre chairperson Belekazi Mbelle said they had a stable financial period from 2019 to 2022.

According to her, they raised R9 817 200 in this three-year period, which was only short R182 800 of reaching their main target of R10 000 000. “We did this through our partnership with the Ekurhuleni health and social development department and various donors. We also achieved many things during this term, such as paying the outstanding salaries of workers, tax fees and approved pay increases for our workers.

“We also bought a truck that will be used to collect the donations we receive. Our building structure is still intact, but we are planning to revamp our kitchen and add digital tools that will be used by our administrative and professional workers,” said Mbelle.

Director of House of Mercy Monica Mashiane said they would like to thank Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous for their 12-step programme of recovery and spiritual assistance.

“The NPO will continue being led by the same board members for the upcoming years, with the addition of four new members elected during our meeting on April 5. Mashiane explained she is retaining the six existing board members because they didn’t get a chance to serve properly during the Covid-19 outbreak.

“We feel the existing board members were doing a good job, even under the immense pressure brought on by Covid-19. However, we feel they would’ve done more if it weren’t for Covid-19, so we are giving them a second chance to implement the plans they couldn’t during the pandemic.”

Also Read: House of Mercy to host AGM

Mbelle said she was not expecting to be re-appointed as a board member, but she is happy about the decision.

“Our main problem throughout our tenure as board members is that we couldn’t initiate any sport or fun activities in the centre.The centre has great potential and I’m very happy to be part of it again. I’m ready to steer the ship and prove I’m a capable leader. We also invite young people to come and join our management team because we need new innovative ideas,” expressed Mbelle.

Newly appointed board member Victor Kakudi said he is looking forward to improving the rehabilitation centre.
“I want to come up with new rehabilitation procedures, now that dagga has been legalised.
“Most of our young people are substance abusers, and I want to change that narrative.
“My plan is to ensure our community members know that House of Mercy is still available to offer help to addicts,” said Kakudi.

New board members are Victor Kakudi (board member), Belekazi Mbelle (chairperson), Susan Mapisa (board member), Monica Mashiane (director), Zelda Nkabinde (social worker), Venesia Willemse (board member), Shadrack Ranape (social worker), Thami de Bruin (board member) and Fr Graham Bouwer (board member).

Mashiane said they admitted 223 patients – 177 males and 46 females. Thirty-three alcohol addicts stayed in the rehabilitation centre for 21 days and 190 drug addicts stayed in the centre for 42 days.
Source of referrals
Religious groups, companies, families, self referrals, shelters, CBI electrical, Department of Education, SAPS, Department of Health, Johannesburg Municipality, Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Mitak.
Church Affiliation
Anglican, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Christian, Full Gospel, Hinduism, Islam, Jehovah Witness, Lutheran, Methodist, NGK, Roman Catholic, Shembe, ZCC and Zionist.
Donors
Dis-Chem East Rand Mall, Dis-Chem Farramere, The Manger, Dis-Chem Sunward Park, Dis-Chem Retail Park, Dis-Chem Rynfield and St Francis Care Centre (Woolworths).

Also Read: House of Mercy’s AGM highlights the centre’s challenges