Arms of Mercy NPC 2018/016801/08 • PBO 930076145.
Arms of Mercy is a non-profitable charity organisation founded by a small team of caring individuals, united by the call to service. It is our vision to help sick children in need receive necessary medical care, and we make it our mission to provide financial aid to as many children as possible through various not for profit fundraising initiatives.
What We Do
We raise funds for children living with cancer; rare diseases; and special needs though the sale of unique handmade charm bracelets and other accessories through the online store, various fundraisers, events, sponsorships, donations and raffles.
Proceeds are donated towards sick children’s emergency surgeries, ongoing medical care and/or specialised treatment and therapies. Many of these therapies and surgeries are not available in South Africa and costs very quickly add up to millions of Rands. In today`s economy, very few parents and families can afford this on their own and need all the financial aid they can get, no matter how small the contribution.
Our main focus is helping children, however, during the covid-19 pandemic it became evident that the people of South Africa are struggling more than ever before. In July 2021 the Board of Directors made the decision to include adults, and not only children, in our outreach. We are here to help each other and ease each other`s burdens, so it therefore made sense to expand the AOM platform to include adults who need financial assistance with medical expenses arising from serious life-threatening illness.
Supporting Arms of Mercy is an opportunity to help give someone a better quality life, and a brighter future.
Together we can change the world, one bracelet at a time!
About the Founder
My name is Karin Harmse. I was born in Cape Town and have lived here most of my young adult life. I relocated to Gauteng in the 90`s to pursue a music career, working various jobs to care for my daughter as a single-mother. I moved back to the Western Cape in 2015 and just retired from my full-time job as an operations analyst to focus more on Arms of Mercy, and to give more attention to our granddaughter, whom I am raising along with my husband of 14 years, Anton.
In 2017, I learned about a beautiful little girl, Mienke Mulder, who had choked on her milk while at daycare. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and the financial struggle that her parents faced to provide her with treatments and therapies really struck a chord with me, and so I started to make beaded charm bracelets to raise funds to help Mienke get the medical care that she needs. Since 2018 I have started devoting my spare time to make a positive difference in the lives of more sick children and founded Arms of Mercy NPC (AOM).
AOM is a matter that is very close to my heart, and my way of answering the strong call of God to live a life of service.
In 2021 I was nominated for a Woman of Stature Award for my work through Arms of Mercy, and in March 2022 I was chosen as the overall Winner in the ‘Woman in Community’ category. My journey since then has been very uplifting in many areas of life, and the whole experience has left me inspired, grateful and filled with excitement for the endless networking possibilities and the future of Arms of Mercy NPC.
Get in touch with me today if you wish to become a sponsor/donor, or for more information on how you too can get involved with AOM.
Dandelion Symbolism
The Dandelion in the Arms of Mercy logo was chosen for all it`s different, positive and inspiring meanings. It reminds us to embrace the cheerfulness of a sunny summer’s day when things seem bleak or dark. To never give up, even if those around you do.
Since the Dandelion can thrive in difficult conditions, it also symbolizes the ability to rise above life’s challenges, healing from emotional pain and physical injury.