Molteno Brothers Trust provide funding to feed children at ECD’s in Grabouw
Posted on June 21st, 2021 by Charles Grey
The Molteno Brothers Trust recently awarded PSFA with a grant in the amount of R148 500.00 in support of our Grabouw Early Childhood Development Nutrition Support Programme. This generous donation will enable PSFA to continue providing 300 children affected by poverty attending 14 ECD’s in Grabouw with two daily nutritious cooked meals for a calendar year.
PSFA in partnership with the Elgin Learning Foundation (ELF) has been providing meals to the children attending these ECD’s since 2015.
The daily menu, developed by a dietician specialising in infant and child nutrition, consists of fortified maize meal for breakfast and fish, soya mince, lentils, samp, beans, fresh fruit and vegetables for lunch.
Scientific evidence has shown that if a child suffers from undernourishment in early development years, the effects of this are irreversible.
The fortified maize meal provided by PSFA has been scientifically formulated to address nutrient shortcomings in the diet of children, often referred to as the ‘hidden hunger’. Hidden hunger is unlike the hunger that comes from a lack of food, but is rather a chronic lack of micronutrients which are essential for optimum physical and mental development in young children. Our aim is to reduce the impact of the ‘hidden hunger’ on children at the most vulnerable ages to stem the cycle of mental and physical underdevelopment so that each child can grow up to realise their maximum potential and contribute meaningfully.
Our menu in general is formulated to address key body functions and the development and maintenance of the body and muscles, contains the essential nutrients to aid in physical growth, brain development and to boost the immune system. It can promote recovery after illness and increase the body’s ability to fight infection. It increases energy levels and can reduce tiredness, and promotes physical and mental well-being.
“We know that without proper nourishment our children cannot take in all that they are taught. Molteno Brothers Trust has always focussed on educational related issues for the very poor within the areas we focus on, Grabouw and surrounding areas. It was therefore an easy decision to support PSFA’s Grabouw ECD Nutrition Support Programme, particularly at this challenging time when the third wave of COVID is hitting our country and the need for feeding is at an all-time high.” Don Bowden, Chairman of the Molteno Brothers Trust.
A brief overview of the Molteno Brothers Trust
The two Molteno brothers, EBF (Ted) and HA (Harry), first invested in farming in the Elgin area in the early 1900s. After this small start, they gradually built up a substantial farming enterprise and carried out their farming activities for the rest of their lives.
The Molteno Brothers Trust was established in terms of the will H A (Harry) Molteno, who died in 1969. It was set up in memory of his older brother E B F (Ted) who had died in 1950. In terms of the will, the trustees of the Molteno Brothers Trust are directed to support education, cultural institutions and charitable causes in Southern Africa.