Welfare & Humanitarian Development

ECD Nutrition

ECD Nutrition Programme - The Lunchbox Fund

ECD Nutrition Programme – The Lunchbox Fund

The Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust (KWFCDT), in partnership with The Lunchbox Fund, launched the ECD Nutrition Programme to provide vital nutrition to young learners across 24 ECD centres. This initiative ensures that children receive fortified porridge and nutritious lunches, supporting their health, cognitive development, and overall well-being.

Over several months, this initiative has served thousands of meals, becoming a cornerstone for improving the quality of life for children in these centres. The dedicated work of The Lunchbox Fund in delivering nutritious meals underscores the importance of nurturing the next generation for a brighter future.

ECD Nutrition Programme - The Lunchbox Fund

Nourishing Young Learners

Through this transformative programme, 24 ECD centres are now receiving fortified porridge and nutritious lunch meals, ensuring that young learners meet their daily micronutrient needs. By providing essential nutrition, the programme is not only supporting the health and well-being of children but is also contributing to their cognitive development, enabling them to focus and excel in their early years of education.

Over several months, this initiative has served thousands of meals, becoming a cornerstone for improving the quality of life for children in these centres.

ECD Nutrition Programme - The Lunchbox Fund

Empowering Women

The ECD Nutrition Programme has created 24 job opportunities for local women, affectionately known as Food Mamas, who prepare and serve the meals at the centres. These women receive a monthly stipend, enabling them to provide for their families while contributing to the community’s nutritional welfare. This dual benefit supports local economies and ensures that ECD centres have support.

By taking on the responsibility of meal preparation, the Food Mamas enable the principals and teachers at these centres to dedicate 100% of their time and energy to teaching and fostering the growth of bright young minds.

Testimonials

They've grown so much since they started with the program. Some of them were malnourished when they got here. The food makes a difference in all our lives. Imagine being able to provide a well-balanced meal for a child that would otherwise have gone the whole day without, or just had unhealthy foods. We are very grateful for the support.
Natasha Blom
Precious Pride Pre-School Principal
Most kids don’t bring anything to eat - for some of them, the lunch is the only meal they have in the whole day. Their skins look like they have cleared up. It's interesting how even the smaller ones want to eat for themselves. It's working out in a lot of ways.
Carmen Wolfkop
Buzzy Bees Pre-School Principal
The children love the food, it makes them happy. They seem to be growing up so fast. Most of them don’t bring a snack to school and I know that they won’t have much to eat at home either. Thank you to Lunchbox Fund and the Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust!
Amy Stompies
Star Kids Pre-School Principal
Some of the children don’t want to eat at home - they tell their parents they will have porridge at school. One of the boys came here very thin but now he is gaining healthy weight. Some others looked sickly when they first arrived, but are now much healthier.
Kholiwe Gemashe
Simanye ECDC Teacher
The kids look much healthier. A lot of them have gained weight. Our parents are really grateful for the lunch. We also managed to make additional classes and created more space for the kids.
Anneline Didloft
Faith in Action ECDC Principal
Our school is being noticed and I believe it's because of Lunchbox Fund. Our kids benefit from the nutrition and safe space. The children have definitely gained some weight
Nomonde Sigwegwana
MJA Daycare Principal

PROJECT
UPDATES

20

Local ECD Centres Impacted

20

Employment Opportunities Created
for Local Women

620+

Children Enriched with
Nutritious Meals

33K+

Nutritious Meals Served Daily

60K

Combined Monthly Income for the Food Mamas

PROJECT GALLERY