The year that was for Chic Mamas
LINDEN – What did the year that was 2021 have in store for Chic Mamas Do Care Jozi? Let's find out!
Let’s find out how non-profit organisation Chic Mamas Do Care Jozi spent their 2021, from their highlights to their challenges, the organisation shares it all.
If you do not already know, the charity store is a volunteer-based, purpose-led brand founded on sustainable fashion. It was established in 2010 to support educational development projects and help break the cycle of poverty. They have boutique stores in Cape Town, Joburg and Durban selling and swapping good quality pre-loved clothing.
The NPO has supported preschools, literacy and numeracy projects, and early childhood development centres over the years. Since its inception, it has donated about R8.5 million to various beneficiaries and they achieved all this with just four employees and over 40 volunteers.
For them, 2021 has been a wonderful year. “Our founder Abigel Sheridan became a finalist at the Santam/Fairlady/Truelove Women of the Future Social Entrepreneur category and we won the Eco-Logic Award Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle Award by Enviropaedia,” said volunteer Karen Harvey.
She added it was amazing to have been recognised for the work they do as it inspires them to do more and bigger things for the benefit of the children they support.
They are currently looking at a target of R1 million distribution to their selected projects nationwide by the end of their fiscal year in February 2022.
They also faced some challenges, they had to move their Linden-based shop to a different location within the community. “Now we are closer to the buzz and we hope that our Linden community will welcome our efforts. So far, we have received wonderful feedback and we are very happy at our new location.”
Harvey cited that a hero for their organisation is the founder of the organisation, Abigel Sheridon. She explained that as a non-profit national organisation, Sheridon is the most generous and kind individual, as she shares her knowledge and passion to the slightest detail, in everything they do on a daily basis.
“I am so so grateful for her love and support, always encouraging, always supporting us in our mission for the greater good of early childhood development,” said Harvey, adding too that the volunteers are a group of incredible women, giving their time, energy and love without whom the store would not exist.
Their wish for the community and beyond is to shop consciously and buy pre-loved items. In so doing, they would not only be mindful of the environment, by recycling and reusing but most importantly, support the bigger desire of blessing children with early education.
