In the poorest sections of Johannesburg, balanced meals financed by a $30,000 grant from TPRF will give 500 high school students a better start in life. This is the second TPRF grant for the same program.

The ACFS Community Education and Feeding Scheme (ACFS) has been feeding Africa's indigent children since 1945, when Bishop Trevor Huddleston began distributing peanut butter sandwiches at schools. Today, the program goes much further, says Executive Director Phindile Hlalele. While school meals remains its core focus, she says, "we also work to promote healthy, contributing citizens who are economically viable and self-sufficient."

ACFS targets the neediest children. Some are orphans or heads of families; others are not only malnourished but also infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. For all of these children, the health benefits are only the beginning. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages them to attend school regularly and makes it easier for them to concentrate on their lessons. Improved school performance builds self-confidence as well as skills.

Starting this month, meals will be cooked and served on-site from Monday through Friday. The TPRF grant will cover the program for six months.

"ACFS plans to offer these children who come to school with empty stomachs something to eat for the day," Hlalele says. "For some of them, the meal we offer is the only meal until the next day."

The menu combines carbohydrates for bodybuilding, proteins, and vegetables to protect against disease. Community health workers, nursing sisters, and social workers help to measure the effectiveness of this diet through regular visits to the school as well as interviews with the beneficiaries and their teachers, some of whom are also ACFS volunteers.

School attendance will be monitored and compared against rates of absenteeism before the program.

"Through this grant," Hlalele says, "we will be able to feed children that come to school without even a slice of bread. Our assistance will make a change in school attendance, school performance and self-esteem, and also allow those who are on medication to take it on full stomachs."

 

Photo Credit – African Children’s Feeding Scheme (South Africa)