|
The Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home nestled on an unspoiled stretch of Kwa Zulu Natal south coast just an hour’s drive from Durban provides a quit retreat for underprivileged children and guests who come to soak up the sun and fresh air in the pristine beauty of the natural sea-side surroundings.
Guests come to enjoy all that a sea-side holiday has to offer and thanks to the coast’s sunny and moderate weather almost all year round winter visitors still enjoy swimming and leisurely strolls in the home’s gardens and 20 meters down the pathway they arrive directly onto the beach. Marine life including species of octopus and starfish is abundant on this undeveloped stretch of the coast providing fascination and a worthwhile environmental education for guests young and old. |
The home provides accommodation for around 150 guests, including separate boys and girl’s dormitories for large school or church groups and several private self catering cottages for smaller groups, teachers or care-givers.
Meals are enjoyed in the bright dining-room and guests can make use of the home’s large hall and stage for evening entertainment and games.
Catering includes a hearty breakfast, lunch and supper which is included in the tariff and groups can also take advantage of the home’s close proximity to the beach for picnics and sunrise strolls.
Many guests return time and again to enjoy the warm hospitality and amenities offered at the home. |
|
|
There is a large sparkling swimming pool, a huge garden for ball games and once the new indoor children’s playroom has been completed there will be additional entertainment for those unexpected rainy days. An outdoor jungle gym is another feather the home is hoping to offer in the near future.
Adventure packed educational and team-building programmes are available on request for groups seeking more than just rest and relaxation in the fresh outdoors. |
Guests who visit the home do so in the knowledge that part of the reasonable tariff charged, which include three meals a day, and full housekeeping services, will be sowed back to the home to subsidize camps for thousands of underprivileged children who visit each year from around KZN.
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. |
|
|
Built in 1932 the present home served as a hospital during world War II but its history dates back to the depression years to 1921 when children of unemployed families were brought to this stretch of the coast for a holiday. The home was built with the support of Mrs. T Watson wife of the then administrator of natal and was officially opened on march 31, 1935.
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. Since 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 |
In 1995 a massive appeal went out from the chairman of the home’s management board, Bill Sutherland, who asked the public to assist the home with donations in cash and kind. Small renovations were undertaken but the home remained sadly in need of repair until the current on-going project began in November 2007. |
|
For more information about the Home, contact Bev Marais on 039-6992207 or by email info@hibhome.org.za |
