Haiti is collapsing. According to the UN, at least one million Haitian people are at imminent risk of starvation. Families are resorting to eating “cookies” made of clay baked with salt. Markets are empty. Farmers can’t get their produce to market because gangs block the roads. Mercy Beyond Borders' Haitian staff remain with our 114 high school and university Scholars.  Our learning center stays open and busy with computers, internet access, tutors, counselors, leadership workshops, and more. To address the alarming hunger crisis, we offer a hot meal every weekday to all our Scholars. Many of them save half of their portion to share with others.
As needs escalate and prices rise, we’re facing a serious cash crunch. A generous donor has stepped up to offer a $25,000 match for every donation up to that total. Here’s your chance to do something wonderful: Give What You Can. You will be keeping hope alive in Haiti. Feeding the hungry. Keeping girls in school. Standing with the poor.

Dome 2 village, in the far western province of PNG, is a West Papuan refugee community that faces daily hardship. An almost forgotten community with little to no government support. In recent weeks, Sr. Sally Bradley, Executive Director of Mercy Works, visited Dome 2. Watch Sally's powerful video message from Papua New Guinea, where Mercy Works projects are positively impacting the daily lives of members of this community.

Mercy International Association would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland on the death of Sr. Helen Harding. Helen was born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, in 1945 to Gerald Harding and Geraldine Mulcahy of Bay Bulls. Helen joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1962, where she took the religious name Sr. Mary Richardine. Helen had a distinguished teaching career, was the principal of many schools, and held a MA in education. Throughout her life, Helen was a leader, an administrator, and an organizer. Helen was elected to the leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy, serving as a team member for eight years and then as leader for another eight years. Helen was an independent and strong woman, known for her calmness, patience, and creativity. Moreover, Helen had great trust and belief in her colleagues. In recent years, Helen was chair of the Members of Mercy International Association, where she is remembered for her dedicated service, professionalism, and leadership. Additionally, she held the position of Chair on the Board of Directors. Click on the read more button to view Sr. Diane Smyth's eulogy for Sr. Helen. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

“A group of my colleagues were in formation to become Mercy Associates. Every month they’d return from their meetings so full of excitement and new ideas. I didn’t know what Mercy Association was, but I knew something special was going on!” Susan Smith, Associate Director for Leadership Formation for Mercy Education, shared this memory from her time at Waldron Mercy Academy in the 1990s. She said that “hearing their excitement about the process and how it fulfilled a special place in their heart” led her to become a Mercy Associate in 1999. Stories like Susan’s continue to unfold today in our Mercy schools around the globe, as the charism enlivens the hearts of lay faculty and staff seeking deeper engagement with the Sisters of Mercy, their spiritual life and their pledge of service to others and to our Earth. Click the read more button to learn more about the Mercy Association from educators, administrators, and board members from around the world.