Our story

Our Story: From Faith to Community Transformation

WE CAN was born from a deeply personal journey—rooted in faith, shaped by lived experience, and guided by a calling to serve.

Our founder, Loretta Burgers, was raised in a family grounded in Catholic values and a strong commitment to social justice at community level. It was within this environment that she first witnessed the power of compassion, dignity, and collective responsibility—principles that would later shape the foundation of the organisation.

After many years as a stay-at-home mother, Loretta felt a growing conviction to respond to the realities facing women and families in her community. What began as a personal awakening soon became a purposeful path into community activism and development.

Where It All Began

In 2005, Loretta conducted a study in the Western Cape Metro exploring the link between domestic violence and its far-reaching impact on women’s well-being, family dynamics, and relationships.

This work laid the foundation for what would become a movement of healing and empowerment.

In 2006, Women Empowered Committed Against Negativity (WE CAN) was established as a non-profit organisation, achieving Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status in 2007.

Growing Into a Movement

What started as a small, community-driven initiative has grown into a dynamic, multi-programme organisation working across the Western Cape.

Today, WE CAN is active in 6+ districts, reaching:

• 5,000+ women empowered through leadership, economic, and personal development programmes

• 3,500+ children and youth supported through family strengthening, arts, and health initiatives

• 2,000+ families impacted through holistic, intergenerational support and healing programmes

• 120+ community-based projects and initiatives facilitated or supported

• 300+ volunteers, members, and community change agents actively engaged

• 50+ partnerships across government, civil society, and private sector

Through its integrated programmes—Women Empowerment, Family Matters, Health, Arts and Culture, and Community Development—WE CAN continues to build pathways for sustainable livelihoods, social cohesion, and community-led transformation.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Our impact is strengthened through partnerships with:

• Local municipalities and government departments

• Community-based and faith-based organisations

• Schools, clinics, and social service networks

• Arts institutions and youth development groups

• Private sector partners and donors

Together, we are building ecosystems of support that enable communities to thrive.

A Legacy of Love and Service

At the heart of WE CAN is a legacy of faith, family, and service.

We honour the lives of Ida and Norman Burgers, the founder’s parents and legacy patrons of the organisation, whose values continue to inspire our work. Their example lives on in every life touched, every story restored, and every community strengthened.

Looking Ahead

From one woman’s response to community need to a growing movement of transformation, WE CAN continues to evolve—guided by faith, driven by purpose, and sustained by the people it serves.

Because when women are empowered, families are strengthened, and communities take ownership of their future—lasting change becomes possible.