No child should go to school hungry
Zilla Stekhoven: Founder of Sawabona Africa e.V.
Hunger: A major challenge to learning
When asking children at our charity partner, PYMA, about one of the biggest challenges to learning, the first answer was hunger. Children cannot concentrate or learn on an empty stomach.
Thousands of children in South Africa go to school hungry every day. In this blog, I share some of challenges faced in South Africa and how we are supporting children.
Given the overall growth of the economy, is South Africa really affected by child hunger?
In the poorest areas of South Africa, children still die due to malnutrition. This is not just in rural areas, but food poverty also affects families living in townships. Our partner charity Phakamani Young Minds Academy (PYMA) runs its afterschool programme at Freedom Park, Soweto one of these hotspots on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
Child food poverty is particularly damaging in early childhood. Insufficient dietary intake of essential nutrients can severely impact child survival, physical growth, and cognitive development. The consequences last a lifetime: children deprived of good nutrition in early childhood do less well at school and have lower earning capacity in adulthood, and are trapped with their families in a cycle of poverty and deprivation.
For many children, the only meal is at school
For many children, the only meal they receive is at school. Unfortunately, many schools in South Africa do not provide meals, or if they do, it may be just a peanut butter sandwich – far from the nutritious food groups needed for development. Many children attending PYMA’s afterschool program arrive hungry and are unable to focus and take in their lessons with tutors.
To complicate matters, many children living in poverty are missing out on nutrient-rich foods, with unhealthy foods becoming entrenched in their diets. I have observed in South Africa, when children attend a workshop, they receive a packet of chips, candy, and a sweet fizzy drink. While tasty and alluring, these are not recommended as the only meal a child may eat.
Nutritious meals for PYMA Learners
When we were invited to apply for grant funding for a kitchen, I jumped at the opportunity to offer all the learners at PYMA a nutritious meal once a day. Learners (aged 6 – 18) who attend the academy can arrive afterschool to the academy, and receive a nutritious meal and then attend their tutoring sessions. This meal will help them focus at their afternoon tutoring sessions and go home with a full belly. Tutors (some of whom receive only a small stipend) and staff, are also welcome to tuck in. With the grant being approved, and the kitchen in planning, all this will become a reality!
When asked how they felt about the new kitchen, one young learner said, “I am excited as I will no longer be hungry.”
Winnie, the Project Manager rolling out the kitchen project, says:
“Having a kitchen at our afterschool programme means more than just meals; it means nourishing young minds, fostering a sense of community and providing the essential foundation for our learners to grow, learn and thrive each day”
Join Us in Making a Difference
I am excited to attend the kitchen’s opening, share a nutritious meal with the learners, and see a significant impact on their learning outcomes.
If you would like to support our work with PYMA, visit our PYMA page and support one of our projects. Thank you for considering our cause and for helping to bring meaningful support to the children of South Africa.