Missions
Many of you know my Identity journey and the deep commitment I have to support my childhood community in Durban, South Africa. Concepta’s Studio is a direct expression of these roots, and I’m grateful to be in a position to give back meaningfully.
Since my 2022 mission trip, I’ve continued working closely with WOW (Welfare of Witteklip), a program at my former high school in Chatsworth, launched in 1984 by it's staff. It emerged from a need to support students and families in the community often overlooked by government assistance. Through WOW, teachers and community leaders stepped up to provide essentials such as groceries, help with utility bills, school fees, and other financial needs for those facing hardships.
Our partnership with WOW goes beyond immediate relief. Together, we are striving to make a lasting impact by expanding educational opportunities and resources for the students and families of Chatsworth. We aim to bring back vital programs to the school, including music, arts, physical education, and guidance counseling. Our partnership also seeks to empower teens by helping them explore career paths and opportunities for life after high school.
When you support Concepta’s Studio, you’re also supporting this mission.
Here is how you have already been helping:
Grocery Hampers
Your financial support helps provide food for students and their families. Grocery bags are packed each week and delivered to the homes.
Funding Education
Due to low government budgets assigned to Witteklip , teachers and courses have been cut from the curriculum. With your help, the school can employ and reinstate these courses and staff.
Building Repairs
Annual repairs and upkeep of the school building is vital due to vandalism.
We had recently been able to respond to an urgent request of the principle for the need of a fence. The school has been grappling with a series of break-ins, and the safety of its students is at stake. In addition to this, there are shanties and squatters in close proximity, some of whom are involved in drug-related activities, posing a significant threat to the students' well-being. Below are a few photos of the newly installed fence.
Watch video of our 2022 Missions trip to South Africa.
Throughout the year, I’ll be spotlighting specific needs of the school and community, and I invite you to join us in supporting these efforts.
Together, let’s bridge communities across continents!