Catholic Welfare and Development

CWD is one of the largest and longest established NGO’s (Non-governmental organisations) in the Western Cape of South Africa. It was founded under the auspices of the Catholic Church in 1972 by two social workers who could not turn a blind eye to the abject poverty and injustices suffered by under-privileged people living on the fringes of the City. Today, although CWD works with people of all denominations, we still abide by the ethos and social teachings of the Catholic Church, and are proud to have as our patron the Archbishop of Cape Town, Archbishop Lawrence Henry.

CWD is an umbrella organisation, comprised of ten programmes and ten community development centres in the Greater Cape Metropole. In addition our rural programme covers the West Coast, Boland and Matsikama. Our main areas of focus are: Community Development Centres (CDC’s) Women, Children and Youth Development Health and Food Security Economic Development.

There is a new will among the people of South Africa and other Africa governments to seek solutions together, working towards an Africa continent characterized by pride and self-reliance. CWD embraces this vision. Wherever possible, we work with provincial and local government to refine service delivery to the poor, homeless, children and others.