ABOUT US
HOW WE STARTED & WHERE WE ARE NOW
MercyAids was founded in the early 2000s as a practical and compassionate response to the HIV/AIDS crisis affecting South Africa’s children. Today, with HIV recognised as a manageable chronic condition, it is no longer our primary focus — but the heart behind our work remains unchanged.
Our name has always been a play on words, capturing both our original response and our broader, long-term vision.
Because — MERCY… aids.
In our psychosocial work with vulnerable children and adults, we often talk about the significance of a name. We ask: Who gave you your name?
What does it mean? How do you feel about it? A name carries identity, history, and hope. It tells a story — a person’s story, and in our case, ours too.
You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been.
- MAYA ANGELOU
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[mercy]
noun
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an act of kindness, compassion, or favour
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the disposition to be compassionate
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compassionate treatment of those in distress
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the feeling that motivates compassion
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alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed
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on a human level, mercy is the benevolent or compassionate treatment of someone suffering or in need.
[aids]
noun
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the act of helping someone
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help, typically of a practical nature
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help given
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help or support, or something that provides it
verb
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to help or furnish with help, support, or relief.
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to provide with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end
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to give assistance
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help, assist, or support (someone or something) in the achievement of something.
Our tagline, practical compassion motivated by love, reflects the heart behind everything we do. Our mission remains to see children, families, and communities not just survive, but truly thrive—and our commitment remains to respond to need with tangible care, guided by love and dignity.
Inspired by the words of Maya Angelou, we continue our journey of compassionate service to those who need it most.