Rock of Joy is registered as a non-profit charity organisation who take care of abandoned, abused, sick and neglected babies and toddlers until they are adopted, placed in foster care or re-unified with their families. Braam and Sheree Van Der Merwe, with our biological daughters, Jade & Aimee, have the opportunity to love and care for these precious little angels.

We are so excited that the dream we had for many years finally came true. Our absolute love for children and the desire to make a difference set us on this journey and it turned into a passion. Sheree always knew she had a bigger purpose and higher calling for her life. For many years she had a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Our entire family volunteered at a place of safety for 3 years.

Sheree received a prophesy one evening at our small group that said: “I see you on the top of a tower with children at your feet, who are not your own children. God says you are going to raise leaders.” Afterwards she received three confirmations from different people saying: “God says open your ears and hear what He is saying to you.” With a lot of prayer, help and support from her loving husband, Braam, they were moved into a new season of their lives and Rock of Joy was born. Braam and Sheree had the same vision and made themselves available to The Rock Place of Safety.

As we set out on our new journey, we firmly believe that this is our calling and our passion, and we are going to serve in this purpose wholeheartedly and glorify God in it. Rock of Joy is not an institution or children’s home. We are a tight knit family and we run this from our own home, while taking care of our own biological, adoptive and foster care children as well.

We provide a safe, joyful, and loving home with the necessary support and knowledge to assist these little ones and to make the best and biggest difference in their lives. We heal broken bodies & minds and show every little one what it is to feel loved. We celebrate each milestone, birthday or special day with our little angels, and love and care for them, in all their needs, until they are safe and placed in loving families. Support structures in the form of medical doctors and specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, play therapists and trauma therapists is part and parcel of taking care of each and every one who needs a little help coping with their circumstances and to help them become better. We will serve their purpose with the highest integrity and honour.

We are thankful that God is using us as His instruments to make a difference in these precious little lives. The job might be tiring, but at the end of each day they look back and gain new strength from God, knowing they made a difference in the life of a baby or toddler in crisis. That makes everything we sacrifice to do what we do all worthwhile.

Rock of Joy strives to make a difference in many children’s lives, but the need is great, and we are fully dependant on donations and assistance from the public and businesses.

Rock of Joy is inviting the public to get involved and really make an impact on the lives of these precious little souls. We can issue 18A tax certificates to give you a tax advantage should it be required.

We are registered and approved by the Department of Social Development. We took hands with the CMR, DSD, SAVF, Child Welfare, RATA Social Services and the Crisis Centres in our areas.