On 05 December, KWV staff participated in a deeply human act of care—coming together to assemble 100 emergency care packs for women supported by Athlone House of Strength (AHOS). Each pack, thoughtfully filled with essential toiletries and handwritten messages, represents a moment of dignity and reassurance for women arriving at AHOS after traumatic circumstances, many of whom are collected directly from police stations with very little in their possession.
As Wilna Wepner of AHOS shared, “We often collect women from police stations. These packs make an immediate difference—especially in restoring dignity.” In these moments—stripped of dignity—practical support becomes a powerful expression of compassion, reminding women that they are seen, valued, and not alone.
The visit took place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a period marked at AHOS by a collective vow of silence. Each day between 12:00 and 13:00, the ringing of church bells echoes through the surrounding community—a solemn invitation to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the shared responsibility to confront violence and injustice. Within this context, the quiet act of packing care packs carried even greater meaning.
AHOS offers far more than emergency intervention. It is a place of refuge and rebuilding—providing women and children who have experienced abuse with safety, structure, and compassionate care. Through counselling, guidance, and stability, AHOS supports the long journey of healing and reintegration, helping women reclaim agency and envision a future beyond survival.
Adding a powerful layer of solidarity to the initiative, the bags used for the care packs were donated through the Kolisi Foundation and produced by survivors of gender-based violence participating in an economic empowerment sewing programme at The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children. Each bag carries not only practical value but a story of resilience and restored agency. Complementing this nonprofit contribution, local for-profit company Linen Drawer generously donated all 100 face cloths included in the packs—a tangible reminder that meaningful social change is strengthened when both nonprofit and business partners stand together in shared purpose.
KWV’s commitment to corporate social investment is rooted in strengthening communities through ethical, sustainable, and people-centred initiatives. By supporting partnerships that address both immediate needs and long-term empowerment, KWV continues to invest in a future where dignity, safety, and opportunity are accessible to all—from the agricultural fields to the boardroom.
Together, these organisations demonstrate the power of collective action: when compassion, accountability, and collaboration intersect, meaningful and lasting impact becomes possible.
