Celebrated annually on 16 October, World Food Day aims to raise public awareness on issues such as absence and scarcity of food, and to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

According to CHSA, good nutrition is a fundamental part of the school's educational model, which serves 750 students from grade R to 12. Approximately one year ago, the school launched its 'Feed a Future' campaign to raise much-needed funding for its feeding programme. The school did this by involving the public and asking for a donation as little as R20, which is the cost to feed a child for one day.

The school provides two nutritious meals and snacks daily to its students, who come from twenty disadvantaged communities on the Cape Flats. Additional daily nourishment is also provided to students who require it, particularly Grade R students who enter the school for the first time.

In light of World Food Day, Christel House has urged businesses and individuals to continue to support the campaign to help feed its students. "We identify children who are underweight or show signs of ill health and together with their teacher, we work on a plan to get them into good physical shape," says Avril Hermanus, clinical nurse practitioner at CHSA.

"With the help of highly nutritious supplements and regular health checks, we're able to improve a child's nutritional and health status, which is our ultimate goal," adds Hermanus. 

According to the school, a hungry child cannot learn, so food that contains essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients — and adheres to the World Health Organisation's recommended daily intake — is crucial at Christel House.

When a child does not have the nourishment they need, they face immediate challenges such as fatigue and loss in concentration, which ultimately affects their academic performance, attendance and ability to take part in extra-mural activities, concludes CHSA.

In addition to well-balanced meals, the school also provides professional healthcare, which means that a student’s overall cognitive function and physical wellness are seen to. This aims to ensure that students perform at their best.

This is seen at CHSA, who boasts a 100% matric pass rate for the past 10 years, with 96% of its graduates either in tertiary education or gainfully employment.

The cost to feed one child at Christel House is R20 a day, R420 a month and R4 350 per year. Christel House is a registered non-profit organisation and 100% of all donations benefit Christel House's projects and programmes.

All South African donors are eligible to receive a tax-deductible 18A certificate and companies can receive B-BBEE points for their contributions as a 100% of CHSA's beneficiaries are Black.



To donate to Christel House's 'Feed a Future campaign', visit www.sa.christelhouse.org/ or contact bsipunzi@sa.christelhouse.org. You can also follow CHSA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.