A wonderful start to 2019

Chic Mamas Do Care Durban is the Durban wing of Chic Mamas Do Care, a South African not-for-profit organisation raising funds to support early childhood development projects in our neigbouring communities. Most of our fundraising is done through the sale of quality preloved clothing, in addition to other ad hoc fundraising initiatives throughout the year. In 2018/2019, Chic Mamas Do Care collectively donated one million rand towards educational projects. In Durban, we are currently involved with three preschool projects; Umzamo Preschool & Creche in Reservoir Hills, House of Hope in Clermont and Zamokhule Creche & Preschool in KwaDabeka. Umzamo Preschool & Creche was established three years ago and has become a flourishing beacon of hope for the informal settlement it serves and the fifty little people it cares for. House of Hope opened in mid 2017 and is steadily becoming established and growing in impact as pupil numbers increase. It is positioned between a shack community and regular houses & currently serves 18 - 24 preschoolers from a cross section of homes. Zamokhule approched us for assistance in July 2016 and as we were focused on our other two projects, they were put on hold until we reconnected in December 2018 with a view to assisting them in 2019. The preschool currently has 18 pupils. They currently meet in a small and rustic iron structure, positioned on the edge of an informal settlement. There are windows but no glass. The ablutions and water are communal and pupils need to be walked to them. As our main project for this year, we have decided to install the basics for Zamokuhle to become an operational, stand-alone preschool. Given our projected target, it will take us most of this year to achieve this goal. 2019 has so far, proved fantastic for us with many new doors opening and others on the horizon. In March, we held our first fashion event of the year at Calissa Lodge in Cowies Hill, Westville. We raised a fantastic R54,890 over the 1 ½ day event. We have recently partnered with our first national retailer, Miladys, as part of their Share the Love donation drive. Shoppers can take a preloved winter warmer item into any of the 218 stores throughout South Africa and will receive a R50 voucher in return, which can be spent in store on a new jacket or knitwear purchase. Share the Love continues until 31st May so if you feel the need for some retail therapy, you know where to go! We’ve also had a promising start to partnering with corporates, with real estate company KW Williams Ignite choosing to support us for their annual RED Day. On Thursday 9th May, the entire Umhlanga / Durban based team will spend the day at one of our projects to build, paint, plant and play! We’re so grateful to KW Williams Ignite for their hardworking hands and big hearts… and we’d love if other companies looking to do similar initiatives would consider us. In terms of schools support, DPHS donated us 50 navy shirts from their thrift shop and our amazing team sewing bee sewed red pockets on the logos so these can be worn as uniforms at our Umzamo Preshool. St Lizzies kindly donated us a giant blackboard and 80 library book bags, which have also come to great use. Our ECD team, who are largely made up of ex-teachers have been spending some quality time with the teachers at our projects, sharing their expertise and giving instruction and guidance on games, toys and activities. The container at Umzamo Preschool & Creche that the amazing Giffy Duminy painted last year has been upgraded on the inside thanks to some very generous donations of flooring (Nigel Du Trevou at Belgotex) and the fitting of the flooring (Steve du Preez at Resilient Flooring). The container now makes for the perfect creche space… soft underfoot, for little feet and bottoms, clean for hygiene and safe, for all!