It seems a long time since the statue of Archbishop Hurley was unveiled in our new building in December 2014.
We marked 2024 as an anniversary year – not just 10 years of being in our building, but also 20 years since the death of Archbishop Hurley (in February 2004) and 30 years since the dawn of democracy in South Africa (in April 1994).
We have had social, cultural and inter-religious events; a book launch and a massive book drive; a national conference; and lectures in Durban, other parts of SA and even in the UK.
Meanwhile, we have carried on with all our usual healthcare and welfare activities as well as the extra opportunity to empower people in connection with national elections.
None of this would be possible without the amazing support that we get from our team members – not just those who are paid but all those who are unpaid and come to us as individual volunteers, interns, and groups from schools, universities, corporates, churches, mosques, synagogues and temples.
The interfaith vision of both Archbishop Hurley and Paddy Kearney means that we continue to benefit from support from across the diverse religious communities of Durban, and often from the ones you might least expect. Meantime, in the background, we rely on the steady work of our (unpaid) Trustees to ensure good governance and keeping us true to our vision.
Thanks to people generously donating food and time, and also the advantage of working in partnership, we are able to keep our costs low. In fact, our spend for everything we delivered in 2024 is likely to come in at only a little more than R6 million ($325 000 or £260 000).
We had hoped that the Anniversary Year would boost our fundraising but in fact we almost did not raise enough within 2024 to cover our costs – thankfully a last-minute fundraising drive in the UK saw us over the line.
However, we are conscious that there has been a decline in the funds raised in Durban in recent years and we have reason to be concerned. Inflation alone means that, what cost us R100 when we opened, would now cost us R162.
We know that Durban has suffered particularly from financial setbacks – we see it in the lives of the people we serve every day. We are confident nevertheless that individuals, families, business and faith communities in Durban will dig deeper to ensure that the DHC continues its life-changing work.
Given the underlying wealth of Durban, we should as a city be able to support several Denis Hurley Centres!
If you will be in Durban please make a note to join us for that and also for a Jazz Fundraising Afternoon on Sunday, March 2.
Sometimes it takes someone from outside to remind us who we are. The US Consul General based in Durban, Josie Ratcliffe, has visited us a few times and makes sure that other US visitors come and see the DHC as an example of what makes Durban special.
She commented: “I can’t express how grateful I am for the opportunity to make new friends at DHC’s Meal of Reconciliation this year.
So much love and genuine appreciation for each other – it was a perfect day. Surely, there is no better expression-in-action of how this day is meant to be spent. Thank you so much for including me!”
We look forward to including all of you in our work next year – as volunteers, donors and partners. And thank you to all of you who have supported us in 2024.
Denis Hurley Centre | Durban
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