Children's food for thought

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KNYSNA NEWS - e'Pap Children’s Feeding Project started in January 2003 with just R1 800 and some 60 children from two preprimary schools in Knysna.

The project has since expanded significantly, but feeding still remains at the heart of it.

The programme, which was started by Shelley Godsell and Lally Viljoen, has been supported by the Knysna Methodist Church and Knysna Rotary Club since its inception.

Subsequently, the St Thomas Methodist Church in Plett and many other churches, service clubs and individuals both locally and abroad have joined the team of donors.

Eighty percent of the expenditure is dedicated to feeding, as is the overwhelming majority of the volunteers’ time.

During the last nine months 90 schools and places of care have provided 520 000 servings of nutritious porridge to the children of the region.

Making a difference
"We continue to receive reports of the difference our feeding is making to the lives of the children – no more runny noses, children are concentrating better and are thus able to learn better and live fuller and more meaningful lives; this is a frequent observation from many of our teachers and principals," said Godsell.

As the project expanded, they saw it fit to invest in training the teachers.

“This year we have provided bursaries to 18 teachers. Sixteen are doing their training at Bronne Sentrum in Oudshoorn and two at Kynsna Education Trust," continued Godsell.

"Both of these courses are fully accredited by the Department of Education.”

The project also runs a free practical skills course workshop for teachers.

On Thursday 12 October, participants from different preschools in Knysna and surrounding areas were awarded with certificates at the Methodist Church Hall in Montagu Street.

Wallacia Gallant from Bitou Round Table in Hornlee will be imparting her newfound knowledge with her colleagues.

The workshop was presented by an enthusiastic and energetic retired preschool principal, Barbara de Jager, who taught invaluable practical and inexpensive activities that teachers can introduce into the classroom.

“It is wonderful to see child minders and helpers come to these courses too – very nervous at first and within an hour one can see them relax and begin to enjoy what they are being taught.” said Godsell.

Bridging the gap
Suzanne Delaporte, one of the participants, said, “I am not from here but whenever I am in the country I teach at a preschool in Bongani. When I found out about the course I thought it would be best if I took part, then I will share the knowledge I got here to teach the children in Bongani.

I will also impart the knowledge to teach children in a remote village in Zambia. I usually read Bible stories to them and realised there is a huge gap and this course will help bridge the gap.”

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Wallacia Gallant from Bitou Round Table in Hornlee said, “I’ve learnt so much and I can’t wait to go back to the classroom and share with my colleagues and the children.”

Joyce Mdingi from LingelomAfrica in Khayalethu said, “Often we limit ourselves because we think we don’t have enough resources, but from this workshop I have learnt that we can do so much with the little we have.

"For instance, if we don’t have glue we can use flour and water, or how to make our own artwork, and that we can use food colouring to paint.”

Isiseko Educare Centre’s Nondumiso Liwini from Dam-Se-Bos said, “I have a broader understanding of what my duty as a teacher is now and this workshop has helped me understand it.

I’ve also learnt that we can make our own toys, and that making our own games and toys will bring me closer to the children and give each one well-deserved attention.”