Our Story
Love Mercy exists to empower communities in Northern Uganda to overcome poverty caused by the horrors of war. Love Mercy began in 2010 in Sydney, Australia after Eloise Wellings, Australian Olympian, met Ugandan Olympian and former child soldier, Julius Achon. She promised to fulfill his dream of restoring hope to his village in Northern Uganda after decades of civil war. Love Mercy sees a future where Northern Uganda is transformed through simple solutions to poverty. Our projects increase access to education, health care, and income generation and are funded entirely by generous donations from the public. We need your help.
Our Vision
Northern Uganda is being transformed by simple solutions to poverty, by empowering women and girls to increase access to education, health care, and income generation.
Our Mission
We exist to empower rural communities in Northern Uganda to overcome poverty after decades of civil war.
Our Values
One humble person can make a difference.
Through our values, we seek to
CAITLIN BARRETT
FOUNDING CEO
CASSI BOURKE
PROJECT MANAGER
ELOISE WELLINGS
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
JULIUS ACHON
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
KATIE BALLESTY
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
REBECCA STANLEY
FUNDRAISING MANAGER
Love Mercy Board Members
Roger serves the organisation by bringing his skills in finance, governance, systems and partner relations. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Finance and Accounting. He was the founding owner and manager of Fiji and Pacific Specialist Holidays in Sydney. He now acts as a consultant for tourism and property development in the South Pacific.
Eloise is a professional athlete and Australian Olympian. She serves as Love Mercy’s ambassador in a volunteer capacity and brings her vision and strategy to the board to direct the overall operations for the Foundation. She has in the past owned a small business as a personal trainer, and is a mother to India, 2.
Mike Hardie serves the board by facilitating the relationship of the organisation and local churches having been a pastor for over 20 years. Mike brings his experience in project planning, communication, leadership and vision development. Mike is a credentialed Minister with Churches of Christ NSW and Executive Board member for Fresh Hope NSW. Mike has completed a Bachelor of Ministries, Post Grad studies in leadership & training in Executive Coaching.
Katie Rosser joined the board in 2016 and took on the role of Chair in November 2017. Katie has a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice Certificate, and is a UK qualified solicitor. She is co-founder and Director of Seldon Rosser, an executive recruitment and search firm. Katie’s experience in running a small and growing business adds value when advising on Love Mercy operations. Her recruitment experience is also invaluable in managing the HR needs of the organisation.
Danielle went to Uganda on the first Love Mercy trip in 2010. She was captivated by its people, particularly the Ugandan children. She is a Provisional Psychologist and School Counsellor and brings her skills in child protection and her passion for Uganda to the board
Rob is the External Affairs Director for forestry company OneFortyOne. He joined the board in 2016 through our corporate partner Syngenta. Rob became involved in Love Mercy through a shared vision around empowering small holder farmers. Rob serves our board with his agricultural skills and global experience.
Gerard joined the board in 2018. He is a qualified town planner and lawyer and practises in all aspects of planning and environmental law. Gerard is a keen runner and has completed 13 marathons, including an attempt at the Kampala marathon in 2017 on a trip to Uganda while visiting Love Mercy projects. He is committed to return to Kampala to finish it when he goes back next time. He serves the board with his skills in law, governance and strategic planning.
James is a Chartered Accountant with broad experience across corporate and project finance. He has worked for Ernst & Young in their Sydney, London, and
Johannesburg offices on client engagements across the AsiaPac, North American, European and African regions. After spending the last 5 years providing commercial and financial advice to government and private sector infrastructure developers across Africa, James returned to Australia in late 2017 and is now the COO of P2P business lending platform Grapple Fund. James joined the Board in July 2018 and serves the organisation as Treasurer by providing his skills in finance, audit, governance, systems and accounts.
Johannesburg offices on client engagements across the AsiaPac, North American, European and African regions. After spending the last 5 years providing commercial and financial advice to government and private sector infrastructure developers across Africa, James returned to Australia in late 2017 and is now the COO of P2P business lending platform Grapple Fund. James joined the Board in July 2018 and serves the organisation as Treasurer by providing his skills in finance, audit, governance, systems and accounts.
Lizzie is the Director for Fundraising and Philanthropy at Amnesty International Australia and has worked in fundraising across the health, international development, conservation and human rights sector for over 15 years with local, national and international not-for-profits. Lizzie joined the board in 2019 (and is mum to Fern, 8 and Archie 4).
