SHAWCO

SHAWCO

Non-profit Organizations

Cape Town, Western Cape 2,335 followers

About us

SHAWCO, is a dynamic, innovative and passionate student-run NPO based at the University of Cape Town. SHAWCO constantly strives to improve the quality of life for individuals in developing communities within the Cape Metropolitan area through various empowerment and enhancement programmes. SHAWCO was founded in 1943 by Andrew Kinnear, a medical student who wanted to make an impact on the Cape Town community. What started off as a one-man initiative quickly grew into one of the country’s largest student volunteer organisations, now boasting over 1800 volunteers running over 20 health and education projects in 5 SHAWCO centres as well as other locations around the Cape Metropolitan area. SHAWCO is divided into 2 main sectors: Education and Health, with a third “staff sector” which coordinates the SHAWCO community centres, project support, transport, community relations, administrative oversight, enterprise development, international projects and funding.

Industry
Non-profit Organizations
Company size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Cape Town, Western Cape
Type
Nonprofit
Founded
1943
Specialties
Free Health Care (mobile clinics), Education Projects, and Social Enterprise Initiatives

Locations

  • Primary

    Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town

    Anzio Road, Observatory

    Cape Town, Western Cape 7925, ZA

    Get directions

Employees at SHAWCO

Updates

  • View organization page for SHAWCO, graphic

    2,335 followers

    Executive Team for 2025 📢 ⏬️ Congratulations to our new Co-Presidents, Chris Pearce and Saniya Sudan 💙. See below for a glance at the ins and outs of SHAWCO's new Presidents 😉. Chris: 🔹Year and Degree: 3rd year MBChB 🔹Favourite quote: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” - Covenant of Water 🔹Favourite SHAWCO Memory: A little girl telling me she wants to be a doctor because of how we as SHAWCO help people 🥺 🔹Vision 2025: To provide disempowered communities with quality primary healthcare and passionate students with an innovative clinical learning platform.  Saniya: 🔹Year and degree: 3rd year Physio 🔹Favourite quote: “Do everything you have to do, but not with greed, not with ego, not with lust, not with envy but with love, compassion, humility and devotion.” -Lord Krishna, (BG). 🔹Favourite SHAWCO memory: When a patient nearly cried while telling me how grateful she was after we helped ease her back pain. 🔹Vision 2025: To provide communities with holistic multidisciplinary care and improve collaboration amongst disciplines 💙🌸

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  • View organization page for SHAWCO, graphic

    2,335 followers

    This partnership with Sisanda FunDaytion has reflected the importance of integrating play into paediatric healthcare spaces. Thank you for infusing our clinic with smiles and fun. Your team's outstanding efforts made the children feel more comfortable and trusting towards our healthcare providers, enabling us to deliver even better care. Looking forward to the next one!

    View organization page for Sisanda FunDaytion, graphic

    135 followers

    Research shows that play significantly impacts children's development and well-being. By incorporating play into healthcare, we aim to create a nurturing environment that promotes holistic health. We are excited to continue our long association with St Joseph's SJIPC Intermediate Paediatric Care and excited by our recent partnership with SHAWCO to continue to bring the magic of play into healthcare settings. Our first event with SHAWCO was a resounding success and we look forward to more. Read more about how we're integrating health and play through valuable collaborations: https://lnkd.in/d4Rc-inh #childdevelopment #healthcare #playandhealth #holistichealth

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  • SHAWCO reposted this

    View profile for Chris Pearce, graphic

    UCT MBChB Year IV Student | Co-President of SHAWCO Health

    🔷 SHAWCO Paediatrics is doing big things for paediatric healthcare provision in South Africa.🔷 Between February and June, we have run 8 primary care clinics in Hout Bay, Kensington and Gugulethu. Thanks to our dedicated volunteer students and health professionals, 150 children have been treated for conditions such as allergic rhinitis; eczema; chest infections; common cold; ear infections; and speech, behavioural and hearing disorders. Furthermore, our Childhood Resiliency Programs have been a resounding success. With the expertise of University of Cape Town Exercise Science and Biokinetics Honours students, we provided services to Hout Bay United Football Community (HBUFC) and the Hout Bay Hurricanes Basketball Team, promoting optimal sporting performance. We also ran our first “Play Clinic" program in partnership with the Sisanda FunDaytion, promoting resilience and family cohesion through play workshops. Finally, the pioneering SHAWCO Play Mates Program, where UCT students from any faculty join clinics to run Play Groups for local children, has filled our clinics with laughter. Moreover, nutritious snacks, sponsored by Tiger Brands, have kept our little patients and passionate volunteers fuelled and healthy during our clinic days. It has been thrilling setting up this public-private partnership and the impact it has had on our services and patients' lives has opened my eyes to the importance of these partnerships in the future of healthcare in SA.  Finally, for a peek into a Paediatric Clinic day, check out this UCT News article! https://lnkd.in/dKPpf4Wy Thank you to everyone involved in these clinics so far, your passion and commitment has been instrumental in shaping SHAWCO Paeds into what it is today. Special thank you to all the health professionals who volunteer their expertise at our clinics. Despite the hardships of working in the public healthcare sector, you continue to support our mission and we are so grateful. Looking forward to the next 6 months of committed care to our communities' children!

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  • View organization page for SHAWCO, graphic

    2,335 followers

    🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You to Tiger Brands for Their Generous Donation! 🌟 -By Chris Pearce, Head of SHAWCO Paediatrics - I am absolutely thrilled to extend my deepest gratitude to Tiger Brands and two of their brands Energade and Jungle – for their incredibly generous donation to our SHAWCO Paediatric Clinics. Their support has truly made a monumental difference in the lives of our paediatric patients and dedicated volunteers. From the very outset, it was clear that Tiger Brands shared our vision of promoting health, well-being, and zero hunger in our communities. Their commitment to "nourishing and nurturing more lives every day" resonated deeply with our mission at SHAWCO, and I am delighted to say that their contribution has exceeded all expectations. With their donation of Jungle Bars, Snack Mixes, and Energade Boosts, Tiger Brands has not only provided nutritious sustenance to those in need but has also injected a burst of energy and positivity into our clinics. Witnessing the smiles on the faces of children as they enjoyed their Jungle Bars or Snack Mixes was a truly heartwarming experience. Equally impactful was the effect of the Energade Boosts on our tireless volunteers. Thanks to Energade, our volunteers were equipped with the energy they needed to provide care to a record number of patients, all while maintaining their unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Grant Pereira, for making this all possible. His unwavering support has been instrumental in shaping this initiative into what it is today. Furthermore, thank you to Lulu and Busi, the CSI Heads from Tiger Brands, for taking the time to visit our clinics. Your presence was not only inspiring but a testament to Tiger Brands' commitment to making a meaningful difference in our communities. Your genuine interest in our operations and dedication to understanding how Tiger Brands can further support us truly embodies the spirit of Ubuntu. In closing, we are immensely grateful to Tiger Brands, Energade, and Jungle for their generous donation and unwavering support. Your contribution has not only transformed our clinics but has also touched the lives of countless individuals in need. We are incredibly excited to continue enjoying your delicious snacks at our upcoming clinics and look forward to the positive impact they will undoubtedly bring. #Ubuntu #CommunityImpact #TigerBrands #SHAWCO #HealthAndWellness #Paediatrics #Jungle #Energade #Nutrition – Photos by Chloe Smit

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  • SHAWCO reposted this

    It’s all happening in 2024! Coming soon.....Integrating PLAY into healthcare with new friends and partners. Hello to SHAWCO SHAWCO Health, the largest Student-led NPO in Africa linked to the University of Cape Town. At our Sisanda FunDaytion programmes we regularly see the value of #play in connecting and strengthening relationships between a child and their families. Research is increasingly showing the enduring impact of toxic stress on children’s development - their social and emotional skills, physical and mental wellbeing, school readiness and their ability to learn. We are excited to tackle this by about INTEGRATING PLAY into HEALTHCARE. #play is a language. #play instills a sense of safety. #play reduces stress. #play facilitates development. #play influences Health. Not everyone knows how to #play We will be facilitating interactive PlaySpaces alongside #SHAWCOpaeds primary health care clinic in Tambo Village, Manenberg to start sharing the magic. #sisandafundaytion #SHAWCOpaeds #shawco #connectthroughplay #PlaySMART #mentalhealthawareness #resilientkids #resilientyouth #earlychildhood #Playmatters #childrenmatter #ResilienceToolbox #mentalwellbeing #schoolreadiness #socialskills #mentalskills #resiliencethroughplay #ecd #playspaces #tambovillage #manenberg #mentalhealthsupport

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  • SHAWCO reposted this

    View profile for Yumna Ederies, graphic

    Candidate Legal Practitioner at ENSafrica

    On the 24th of February, I had the privilege of reuniting with the SHAWCO Law (SHAWCO) family after being part of it for 2,5 transformative years during my university journey. Returning as the guest speaker for the 2024 volunteers' training day was a deeply humbling honor. As I stood before a new cohort of bright and eager law students, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with pride. Seeing them embark on a path similar to the one I once treaded filled me with hope for the future of legal advocacy and community service.

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  • SHAWCO reposted this

    View profile for Aliyah Claassens, graphic

    Political Sciences and Law student at the University of Cape Town. Volunteer Coordinator - Shawco Law

    I am absolutely delighted to share that I am a volunteer for SHAWCO law 2024! I am extremely excited to work with the amazing team aswell as the amazing participants at our chosen schools. Community Service has always been a strong passion of mine and I am so expectant of the journey to follow. Thank you God for everything you have laid in my path. 💙

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