The Missionvale Care Centre operates in the extremely poor informal shackland township of Missionvale in Port Elizabeth, South Africa - part of the wider Nelson Mandela Metropole. It was founded by Sister Ethel Normoyle, from humble beginnings, under a tree donated by a resident of Missionvale. It has grown into a centre which provides love and care for the poor and destitute, with particular emphasis on those living with HIV/AIDS. It remains true to her original vision and is still directed by her and a Board of Directors.

MISSION

Missionvale Care Centre is an interdenominational, non-profit organization committed to providing quality care and support to improve the life of the people of Missionvale through love, consultation, participation and self-development. We respond to the many needs of the people in the circumstances in which they live.

PURPOSE

• To provide an essential health, social and spiritual service.

• To provide primary and pre-primary school education and other forms of educational development.
• To promote a stable and harmonious home and community environment.
• To develop a sense of pride and ownership in the people of Missionvale.
• To concentrate on the development of children, especially those orphaned and vulnerable.
• To use all the resources of the Care Centre to treat, alleviate and most importantly, prevent the scourge of HIV/AIDS.
• To consolidate the achievements of the last 21 years by becoming self-sustaining.

Lord of Loving Kindness

We pray that we, the Friends of Missionvale,
May enter into the lives of the poor in their pain, loneliness and despair.
To recognize that we have done nothing to deserve our prosperity,
As they have done nothing to deserve their deprivation.
To reach out a hand of solidarity, compassion and love,
Filled not with empty platitudes, but with food, medicine, learning and hope.
To learn from the sick and the vulnerable, the great lessons of humility and simplicity.
To learn from ourselves, the limits of our love and the boundaries of our selflessness.
To know and believe that a Care Centre, within our city and within our hearts,
Is only the beginning -
But a beginning where anything is possible.
Lord graciously hear us.

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