St. John Bosco Boys' Orphanage is home to more than forty boys between the ages of 4 and 16. Many of them are home-schooled at Bosco Academy. Mercy Volunteers aid in the day-to-day activities of the home and serve as teachers, tutors, social workers, and sports and artistic activities coordinators.
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital is a non-profit health care facility offering 24-hour care. They offer traditional in-patient services as well as outreach programs including a free mobile clinic and a free on-site HIV testing and counseling. Mercy Volunteers serve as social workers, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other health care professionals.
Mercy Wings Vocational Center is an innovative vocational-technical training program for adolescents, between the ages of 15-19, who have not completed traditional schooling. Vocational tracts are offered in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, child care, and catering. Mercy Volunteers teach in the Adolescent Development Program (self-awareness, spirituality, parenting, English, math, the arts), serve as counselors, assist in program coordination and development, and help with finances and accounting.
Mercy Volunteers in Guyana, South America
Meg Uplinger graduated from Canisius College in 2006. She learned about Mercy Volunteer Corps while on a college service trip to Mercy Center in the Bronx.
Gavin Murphy is a 2006 graduate of Scranton University. He was born in Ireland and grew up in Coolock, the town where the Sisters of Mercy were started almost two hundred years ago.
 Katie Wilberding was born in Iowa and is a 2007 graduate of Creighton University. Katie is presently serving in Guyana at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
After graduating from Kalamazoo College,
Kate Hamel taught at a Mercy high school in Maine. It was during her time as a teacher that she learned about Mercy Volunteer Corps and decided to serve as an International volunteer.
 While attending Cathlolic University of America in Washington, D.C., Marisa Rogers met a Sister of Mercy who encouraged her to check into MVC. Marisa had studied abroad in Italy and wished to have another international experience. Marisa served as one of the first Mercy Volunteers in Georgetown, Guyana from 2000-2002. She used her degree in Social Work to develop a social work program at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, a program which has since grown and expanded in the number of people it is able to serve in and around Georgetown. She also tutored at St. John Bosco Orphanage, learned massage therapy at the hospital, and even learned how to play steel pan in her spare time! The lack of resources for addressing the needs of the people is apparent in Guyana, and development of systems such as a social work program evolves slowly, but in the midst of those challenges, Marisa found patience and inspiration from the Guyanese people. She shares,“…it is the little conversations with the elderly patients or hide-and-seek games with the children or hearing the resiliency in the voices of the young mothers that are tackling the world alone that keeps me energized to our mission.”
 Paige Danos, a native of Birmingham, AL and New Orleans, LA served with MVC in Georgetown Guyana from 2002-2004. Paige brought her background in business, compassion, and creativity to a challenging position as an Assistant Coordinator at Mercy Wings Vocational Center. She organized fundraisers and other events, managed the Center’s snackette, and assisted in program management and staff development. Also during her volunteer term, Paige tutored at St. John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage and organized a Girls’ Club for adolescent girls. Paige reflects on her overall experience with MVC in Guyana,“Some of my blessings have come from the Sisters and Mercy community at large, whether it be from Assocites,volunteers, or friends. I truly did not expect to grow so close to so many people during this experience. Some of my most valued friendships are through the Sisters and their network. And I marvel at the quantity and quality of time that has been dedicated to me, let alone to all of us here as MVC members. The support structure put into action for us, and maintained throughout our time here has been incredible. From the MVC staff in the States, right through to everyone here in Guyana. I cannot imagine what my life here would have been had it not been for these people. The growth I have seen in myself during these last months has come about because I was given the opportunities to let myself evolve. But, it would never have occurred had I not had the guidance and support of these key people.”
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