Six crucial weeks are looming for the Class of ’24.
Between October 21 and November 28, how this year’s Matrics tackle their trigonometry, recall their second language grammar rules, and set out the facts about the Cold War will be critical in setting their course as they walk into a post-school world. The run-up to the first exams is a testing time for all those squeezing in hour after hour of revision and, for many in township schools, finding a quiet corner at home where they can study effectively is a great challenge. Leader of The Domino Foundation’s Nutrition programme in Toti, Cheryl Dann said: “In the best of circumstances, this is a very stressful time for Grade 12 students. Many of the young people our programme has contact with have added issues to deal with and we want to relieve some of the burden by ensuring they have some high-protein food each day through the exam period.” The Nutrition programme will be delivering sandwiches to Siyabonga Secondary in Illovo Township, Umbelebele Secondary in Umlazi, Mcothoyi Secondary in Umgababa. and Zuzumqhele Secondary School in Kwa Makhutha. The sandwiches will be delivered each Friday for the weekend swot time as the Grade 12s are at school all day Saturday and Sunday.
Domino once again is appealing for donations of peanut butter so that each of the Matrics in the schools where Cheryl’s team works each year over the exam period will get some “brain food”. She explained: “Compounds found in peanuts increase blood flow to the part of the brain involved in learning and recall. Comprehension is improved, general mood is enhanced and the chance of depression reduced….all great pluses for learners dealing with exam pressure.”
In the regular course of operations through the year, the Nutrition programme’s kitchen in the South of the city provides thousands of sandwiches to schools, vitamin-packed porridge to Early Childhood Development centres and food hampers to families in crisis. The drive to get sandwiches to Matrics puts a greater demand on the programme’s resources.
Schools, churches and other organisations, businesses and individuals can contact her on nutritionsouth@domino.org.za or 086 762 0376.
