Across the Western Cape, the work of WCAPD branches is often most visible in moments of connection; a shared activity, a community event, a day filled with laughter and participation.  Yet behind these moments lies something far more critical: the ongoing effort to ensure that services for persons with disabilities remain sustainable, responsive, and accessible over time.  Recent activities at Mossel Bay APD offer a powerful reminder of what this looks like in practice

In May, ILatha Lethu Day Care participated in a vibrant Colour Run, a day marked not only by bright colours and joyful energy, but by the unmistakable   presence of community.  Children, staff, and supporters came together in an environment that celebrated participation, inclusion, and belonging.  The event was made possible through the collective efforts of multiple stakeholders including the Municipal Team, led by Azaria, the Department of Social Development, Municipal Waste Management, and a wide network of volunteers and supporters.

It is easy to see a day like this as an isolated success when in reality, it reflects something more important: what becomes possible when communities engage, contribute, and take shared responsibility.

This same spirit carried through to the branch’s fundraising braai, an event brought to life through the active involvement of parents, staff, and community members.  Every contribution, from preparing food to purchasing tickets, played a part in supporting the ongoing work of the branch.

What stands out in both initiatives is not only the success of the events themselves, but the depth of participation:

This is MiAPD in practice; not as a concept, but as a living, working model of shared responsibility.

As WCAPD continues to strengthen its presence across the province, there is an increasing recognition that fundraising cannot sit on the periphery of operations. It must become an integrated, ongoing function within every branch.

Because the sustainability of services from day care programmes to community outreach depends not only on funding streams, but on active community engagement and ownership.  Fundraising, in this context, is not simply about raising money.

It is about:

The work being done in Mossel Bay shows that when the elements come together, fundraising becomes more than a necessity, it becomes a shared expression of commitment to inclusion and dignity.

As WCAPD moves forward, the emphasis will increasingly be on embedding this approach across all branches: ensuring that fundraising is intentional, consistent, and community driven.  Because ultimately, it is these collective efforts that enable services to continue, not just in the short term, but in a way that is sustainable, resilient, and responsive to changing needs.

If you are based in the Mossel Bay area and would like to support ongoing initiatives, get involved in community activities, or access services, we encourage you to connect directly with Mossel Bay APD to learn more about their work and how you can be part of it.  Moments of joy, like those seen at the Colour Run, remind us what this work is about, and it is through ongoing fundraising efforts that these moments, and the essential services behind them, are able to continue.  apdmoselbaai@gmail.com