Heal Our Women

Hi we are Jackie and Vicki, two strong, empowered women and mothers living in Perth, Western Australia. We have a background working in education, children, families and community services. Jackie stumbled across a heartbreaking documentary ‘Township Lessons from the Cape of Good Hope’ based on a place called Lavender Hill in Cape Town, South Africa.

Lavender Hill sounds picturesque but in reality it is an informal settlement, a place of violence and zero safety which impacts daily on the lives of women and children. The fact that thousands of families live in inhumane conditions in informal settlements twenty years after Apartheid ended was shocking to see. The level of sexual violence, rape and murder of women and children shared in the documentary was hard to believe.

https://youtu.be/2Fsupm4cpT0 

Child murder in Western Cape provinces was at a record high at about 66 in 2017 revealing a horrific trend of how communities and families are torn apart by violence in South Africa. (Source: Buzz South Africa).

Despite the horrendous conditions Lucinda Evans the founding member of the not for profit organisation Philisa Abafazi Bethu meaning ‘Heal our Women’ is changing and empowering lives.

Lucinda's Dream

Lucinda’s dream of protecting and empowering abused women and children was realized when she witnessed a crowd gathering around a man beating his partner in the street. People were watching, yet no one was doing anything to stop the violence. Lucinda’s life changed that day. She made a commitment to protect and empower those at risk of violence.

Lucinda Evans offering comfort and support


Lucinda and her team have worked tirelessly for ten years to provide vital protective support services for women and children at risk daily of sexual violence, rape and murder. They provide a safe space where women and children can heal, build their self-esteem and empower them to see a different future. A future based on hope through education and the knowledge they do not need to live in fear.



This is an urgent call to action. In the next two weeks the building used by Lucinda and her team to provide vital life-saving educational and support programs will not be accessible.

As empowered women we couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Philisa Abafazi Bethu urgently need funds to provide a new permanent safe space and we aim to raise $5000 by the 20th February 2018 to purchase a portable building for their community. This will ensure Lucinda and her team can continue their vital work which truly saves lives.


Our aim was to find 200 people to donate $25 each (the cost of five cups of coffee) however every donation is gratefully received. We believe you can help us make a difference to ensure these programs continue improving the lives of these women and children in Lavender Hill, Cape Town.

If you cannot donate please share our campaign with others. 100 % of any additional monies raised will help buy vital resources needed to furnish and set up the portable buildings.

This is your chance to empower women across the globe who are fighting every day to survive. Lucinda’s work not only protects the women from violence, rape and murder it also empowers women to find their voice and learn strategies to protect themselves and their children.

If you would like to watch the whole documentary "Township lessons from the cape of good hope" please use this link.

https://vimeo.com/104377708

We and the women and children of Lavender Hill thank you for your support.