Help combat hunger in South African Schools
To help combat hunger in South African Schools we have established a school-feeding programme for a few primary schools in our community. Our Gift NPC currently feeds three primary schools, providing sandwiches and milk to 2392 learners in Cape Town sub-regions. There is a large need for school feeding in both primary and high schools but we are unfortunately not able to assist as this project is currently self-funded.
It is impossible to teach a hungry child.
In providing food, the program relieves immediate short-term hunger, which is beneficial for learning. Alleviating short-term hunger amongst learners helps to improve performance in school and promotes normal progression from grade to grade thus completing a basic education. Most grade repetitions in school are associated with malnourished learners.
It has been found that 90% of grade repetitions occur in primary school.
Despite the clear benefits of these programmes in Africa where the need for school feeding is at its greatest, the coverage is minimal. This is often because of the challenges for feeding programmes which can range from high operational costs to the need to build the capacity to procure food locally.
The children are hungry, but the need goes far beyond the table. The effects of poverty and social ills brings about a need that we cannot ignore. The provision of food to children of school going age is the missing link that can transform many in a struggling community.
The biggest problem which Our Gift NPC faces is sustainability and one of their main obstacles is the constant price increase of fuel and electricity that directly affects the price of bread and milk.
We have 7 Volunteers who prepare the sandwiches daily. Thank you for giving of yourself so selflessly.
The school-feeding program has a threefold effect: fighting poverty, ensuring a successful education system and promoting social inclusion. We aim to assist learners living in extreme poverty, as well as that of people living below the minimum level of dietary consumption.
Across the region, more than one out of three scholars who started school in 2016 will leave before reaching the last grade of primary school.
There is ample evidence to support two basic truths: A meal attracts a hungry child to school and education helps break the cycle of poverty.
Despite the clear benefits of this program, funding is minimal. Our challenges for school feeding are operational costs and costs to procure food. Feed a hungry child and ensure a better future.
Our work in communities can continue with the generous donations from people like you. People who believe that they can make a difference. Please donate to our cause and keep our mission thriving.
