Serving with heart, finding my purpose: My Chic Mamas Durban story.
In March of 2022, a month after I retired, I started volunteering at the Chic Mamas Do Care shop in Durban. I had learnt of the organization through a friend, and was immediately interested in the concept of “recycling” ladies clothing by selling it and using the pro
ceeds to enhance and improve Early Childhood Education Centres in the greater Durban area. My 40year career in education would be of use and I would be able to give back to the education community.
My role at Chic Mamas Durban evolved into not only working a weekly shift in the shop, but also looking after the four schools we had under our wing at the time. Our focus on the schools was mainly on providing and improving suitable infrastructure including classrooms, kitchens, toilet facilities and playgrounds. Many of these schools started as 1 room shacks with no toilet facilities at all. I met the most amazing women who were running the schools on very small budgets, working 12 hours a day and earning very little. They always showed up, made their own plans and made equipment and apparatus for the children, played games and sang and danced with the learners in their care. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their schools and learners was so motivating for me.
Besides working on improving each schools’ infrastructure, we managed to secure funding to sponsor JAM porridge to all four of our schools for three years. This porridge is specially formulated for children up to the age of 6 years, providing vitamins needed for strong healthy bodies and brain development essential for learning. Funding and sponsorship was also raised to assist the schools in starting and maintaining their own vegetable gardens in the hope of growing vegetables for lunches provided to the children.
In 2023 we started a new project at the Valley Trust in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KZN. The Halley Stott Pre-school and Day Care had started up for the children of the staff employed at the Valley Trust and was growing at an alarming rate. They were in dire need of classrooms, toilets, a playground and a library. A fabulous donor was sourced by Chic Mamas which gave us the wonderful opportunity to upgrade the school, starting with a new kitchen for meal preparation, toilet facilities and playground equipment. A further donation was obtained and allowed us to expand the dream and renovate an old tennis court into a netball court, soccer area, jungle gym and play space for the children from the local primary schools. This amazing project has improved the school exponentially and made sporting and game facilities for over 600 children in the community.
In 2025 my husband and I relocated to Cape Town and I had to say goodbye to my Chic Mamas Durban family. After settling into Cape Town, I found myself missing the Chic Mamas space and the incredible women who had become such an important part of my life. I am now happily involved in Chic Mamas Do Care Cape Town. My journey has come full circle, and I feel privileged to continue being part of this very special organisation.
By: JENNY SPITERI