Meet Caroline Mardon

My name is Caroline Mary Mardon and I’m 66 years old. Caroline means ‘strength and courage’. But I prefer Carol, because it means ‘song of joy’.

I’ve always had a love for nature and for animals and plants. My dream was to be a vet, but I didn’t get high enough marks in Afrikaans. So, I went into biological sciences because it was an international research degree and it gave me the opportunity of branching out into whatever area I enjoyed. I did Honours in bio chemistry and cell structure, specialising in cell communication and animal communication, because my other major was animal behaviour.

Early years

I grew up in a middle-class home with very loving parents. Strict but loving. I have an older sister who’s also a biologist, as well as a 33 year old adopted son, who is special needs.

I looked after my son for 27 years but he is now terminally ill and in frail care. He wanted to live on his own and he’s very happy and peaceful where he is, with friends his own age. He has multiple mental and physical disabilities, including a stoma bag and a terminal liver disease. I’ve unofficially ‘adopted’ another young man who lives at the same frail care, as he hasn’t any family of his own.

Adopted son

When we adopted our son, we expected a normal baby, but within a few months we started picking up problems. I have no regrets about adopting him. We love each other very much. I’ve learned a lot about love, endurance, patience and trusting God. And to just see the beauty in everyone.

I visit him as often as I can and support him financially. I supply him with his basic toiletries, treats, clothes, bedding and any medical supplies he might need.

The first and most important part of my life is God. It is only through Him and praying and worship that I’ve been able to get through this. That I’ve been able to learn to love. That I’ve been able to learn to accept it and surrender, knowing that Steven isn’t actually mine. That everyone and everything we have is a blessing. That sometimes we only have them for a short time because everything we have belongs to God.

So, even with some of the challenges I’m facing at the moment, I’ve got joy and peace. Everything I do is for His glory.

Paying it back

I grew up loving nature and above all, loving God. So those are my two focuses. I believe very much in paying it back. I had really good teachers and mentors as well as family members who encouraged and supported me. Now I do a lot of mentoring. I’ve worked in the squatter camps and little farm schools teaching literacy and running upliftment programmes like children’s camps.

For the past two years I’ve been involved with Kairos prison ministry, where we go into Westville Prison and work with the women life prisoners. We also work with women who have loved ones inside.

I used to do wilderness trails with Dr Ian Player in uMfolozi and I love an active, outdoor life. I used to do a lot of canoeing and photography and I love writing, painting and crafts.

Conservation work

My main interest at the moment is conservation work. It was my dream since the age of 15 to do this. I started training a day after I turned 61. The moral is that you are never too old to achieve your dreams.

I’m involved in outreach programmes teaching children about the ocean and reptiles, like frogs and snakes, which are a very important part of our eco-system. I’m passionate about teaching people to care for nature and the oceans because it’s very important for us to leave a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren.

I’d like to be remembered for my love of God and for trying to bring hope and love and touching the lives of others in a positive way. I pray that I’ve helped people connect emotionally with God’s creatures. My life has been dedicated to stewarding God’s creation.