When Thembeka Gumede was a little girl, it was her gogo who taught her how to balance a heavy load on her head: “I didn’t understand then all it entailed…how some basic physics and my posture working together meant I could balance up to 20% of my weight on my 5-year-old head, and then use very little energy to carry the load.”
Celebrating the arrival of the Kolisi Foundation’s monthly delivery of nutritious breakfast porridge mix to The Domino Foundation, where she connects volunteers with service opportunities, Thembeka couldn’t resist showing off her childhood skills. “Some things from our early years we never forget. We are also aware that many of the pre-schoolers on our ECD programme have other things which also may stay with them all their lives…things which won’t stir such happy memories.” She was referring to data which shows that an alarming percentage of South African children under 5 are malnourished in ways which could significantly affect their physical and mental development as they grow.
The Kolisi Foundation has been a consistent partner with Domino for a number of years in tackling issues of food insecurity and malnutrition with its monthly donation of 40 relief food hampers. In August, it made the first of what will be monthly deliveries of nutritious breakfast porridge destined for eight Early Childhood Development centres in the Amanzimtoti area partnering with Domino. Thembeka commented: “Regular nutritious breakfasts positively affect children’s learning in general school performance. The Kolisi Foundation’s commitment means that 500 Toti pre-schoolers who will enjoy healthy meals to start their days in these crèches are in a good place to not become statistics in the dire predictions.”
Both foundations are committed to seeing marginalised individuals and communities in South Africa find relief, empowerment and justice and would be pleased to hear from anyone wanting to know more about making a difference in our country.
