Food plays such a big part in our lives and yet, so many people around the world continue to struggle with hunger, malnutrition and poverty. This World Food Day, the Do More Foundation is embarking on a mission to empower Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, the cornerstones of young children’s lives, to serve up wholesome goodness.
South Africa (15 October 2024) – In a world where food is a vital need, millions of children across the globe face a daily struggle against hunger and malnutrition. It is a heartbreaking and undeserved struggle that demands a greater call to action.
Playing their part to help promote better nutrition for South Africa’s children who need it most, is the Do More Foundation this World Food Day, 16 October – a global initiative to heighten public awareness of the world food problem.
The Do More Foundation will use the day to empower Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre cooks and practitioners to make healthy nutrition choices for the young children who enter their doors.
With the support of the Department of Health, Do More will increase the nutrition literacy of 1,000 practitioners and cooks through cooking demonstrations, food tasting and open dialogues this World Food Day.
Helping children thrive through better nutrition
Jabu Mthembu-Dlamini, Community Programmes Lead at the Do More Foundation, shared that the key focus of the programme is to enhance childhood nutrition.
“We believe that empowering ECD practitioners and cooks to make informed, healthy choices – despite their resource constraints – is essential.
“The alarming reality is that 90% of brain growth occurs between birth and age five, and malnutrition during this period can have lasting, devastating effects, including stunting, which hinders cognitive development and ultimately, an individual’s future economic prospects,” he explains.
As part of the initiative, ECD centres across South Africa will receive recipe books, grocery vouchers, and health and nutrition charts, enabling them to implement the newfound knowledge and track the progress of the children in their care.
On World Food Day, 40 ECD centres will also be assisted by local partner organisations and over 40 staff volunteers (known as DoMore Heroes) from various company sites to help them cook and serve these meals to the approximately 2,000 young children in their care.
Chairperson of the Nkomazi Young Child Forum, Rose Phelembe, highlighted that ECD centres play a crucial role in ensuring children from disadvantaged households access balanced, nutritious meals – something they might not always receive at home.
“The centres follow strict dietary guidelines verified by the Department of Health, which positively impacts children’s health, supporting healthy growth and development. This structured nutrition, alongside health monitoring and education, sets children up for success early on.”
Going beyond just providing basic sustenance, the collective effort is providing much-needed nutrition and the building blocks for a brighter future!
Sources: Do More Foundation
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