The Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home nestled on an unspoilt stretch of Kwa Zulu Natal South Coast just an hour’s drive from Durban, provides a quiet retreat for underprivileged children.

For many children it’s the first time they have seen the sea and the memory of a holiday at the home remains with them forever – prompting some to return later in life to help preserve the home for the children of the future.

Since its doors were first opened to give underprivileged children much needed holiday breaks at the beach, the home has been funded through donations, street collections and fund raising projects.     From the mid-nineties a major portion of the home’s income has also been generated by renting it to guests such as school, church and sports groups, when it is not occupied during holidays by the underprivileged children for whom it was built.

   Bev Marais:

“I managed my own company in Durban for 20 years.

Once my children “fled the nest”, I decided to end one chapter of my life and to live my dream – which always been to take care of underprivileged and vulnerable children.

An opportunity became available with The Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home 3 years ago.

It was an enormous undertaking and a huge challenge, but I’ve never looked back since then.

Nothing more satisfying, humbling and feeling of completeness than living ones dream and making the dreams of children come true at the same time.

There is no greater, unconditional love and trust than that of a child.”