Mother Of Peace - Irish Connection

Eddie & Gemma Dillon from Navan visited South Africa in 2005, and accidentally came across the childrens home, they were very impressed with the effort these people were making to improve the lives of traumatised and vulnerable children. They were amazed to learn that there was no government funding to help these children and how dependent they were on donor funds.

When they enquired what the immediate needs of the community were, they were told that virtually anything that came through their doors would be useful. However they spoke of the need for some form of transport to bring the children to and from school, as the already traumatised children were very vulnerable on the roads as they walked to and from school.

On returning home they have tried to raise awareness among their friends and were happily surprised that people were very interested and wanted to do something to help. Friends of Mother of Peace was formed in 2005 in Ireland and in June 2006 a sponsored walk was organised and an amazing €22,000 was raised and this money went to purchase a 16 seater vehicle which was delivered in September 2006. The walk has become an annual event but you can read more about that later.

Friends of Mother of Peace have become so involved in the community that in October 2007 32 Irish Volunteers travelled to South Africa and constructed four new houses for the children. Since 2005 we have funded the renovation and extension of four of the other cottages.