Kopanang Community Trust

Mothers, grandmothers and children are incredibly supported by the staff and students of Santa Sabina College by their commitment to Kopanang Community Trust, South Africa, over so many years. Kopanang has been the site of transforming immersions for our students since 2005 for an annual visit up until COVID.  No student has remained untouched by this experience, several of whom have changed their university options based on it. These initiatives have brought quality of life to the families, and a sense that, even if you have never met them, they feel they count and are remembered.

Five teachers (including myself) had the wonderful experience of going to Kopanang in late 2025. Two of the group are expert teachers in textiles and conducted a very lively textile and colour theory workshop. It was a privilege to see the mothers’ and grandmothers’ faces light up with their exposure to this new learning experience which is providing them with further product possibilities.

A highlight the first weekend (enjoyed by many past immersion students) was to go to St Paul’s Mass in Tsakane, a community fully alive with their deep faith and celebration, manifested by their joyous and superb singing. It is the place where they are strengthened  for the week ahead as they navigate their ongoing struggles.   

The counter to this was a visit to the Apartheid Museum, and the wonder of how three quarters of the nation rose above the oppression, struggle, loss, dislocation. This same wonder translates into the lives of the Kopanang families. The women still do it very tough and would be at a loss without Kopanang to help them put bread on the table. Their beautiful, creative output is also healing for them and brings them a sense of deep pride.

This has enabled the rest of the not inconsiderable bill to be paid off for 2026 uniform grants for the children of Kopanang. Without a uniform a child is denied education. I should have taken photographs of how they used to go to school with shared shoes (backs broken off) threadbare collars, black skirts and trousers so worn they had a grey sheen to them. Sometimes they took turns going to school by day, wearing the one uniform. 

So thank you students and teachers for all you have done to help the children go to school with such pride and dignity – the mothers have often spoken of the fact that they no longer feel humiliated because they could not afford the uniform. Siena and Santa Sabina Colleges also contributed to this not inconsiderable bill for their uniform grant.

The government sadly, has for years continued to let the poor down and massive corruption has shrivelled up resources, especially in the historically black townships where they are too poor to move anywhere else.  They have no means of employment (45% unemployment in the country, nearer 80% in the vicinity of Kopanang), education is poor, health access is extremely limited, yet the Kopanang women come into the project each morning with hope, joy and strength which they find in one another and in the beautiful work they create, despite the relentless struggle. 

Thank you for the many ways you have supported this needy community, including the Director of Business Services, Kath Corbett. You have made a difference!

Sr Sheila Flynn op