Alongside our original Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Old Age Home (OAH) focus areas, we have taken on the two further mandates of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and Soil Regeneration in 2022.
They co-exist and overlap a lot. In order for real and sustaining change to occur amongst the vulnerable in South Africa, they all need to be supported.
GBVF
Working on the ground on a daily basis with young children, teachers and the elderly, we realise how GBV affects so many of our centre staff, children and parents. It is rife in the disadvantaged areas we work in, with women and children being most at risk.
Our GBVF focus: Safety and Security Empowerment Support Sustainability
We realise that a woman oftentimes remains with her perpetrator partner due to financial dependence. The children in the household are thus affected, either by witnessing GBV or experiencing it too.
Skills development is a key area we look at. Empowering and educating are also of vital importance. Being proactive, as well as reactive.
It's a big subject and it's a big problem. If we work together collaboratively we can make a life-changing difference in the lives of those affected.
Soil regeneration
Soil regeneration is important. Lost ecosystems can be restored if we rejuvenate the soil. The way we farm is really important. We need to start caring about soil. We also need to try and be more self-sufficient where we can. A vegetable garden can be grown easily. ECD Centre vegetable gardens, old age home vegetable gardens, community gardens, gardens at home... if we concentrate on growing our own produce it not only helps us, it helps our community.
Children go hungry every single day in South Africa. In stricken areas, young children are dying due to long-term malnutrition and/or stunted growth. There's no sugarcoating it. It's a very real and dire situation.
Hence our ongoing dedication to encouraging the creation of vegetable gardens in ECD centres especially. They are lovingly tended by ECD centre staff, who then produce fresh and nutrient-rich food for their children, plus they can then sell any surplus food, for an additional income source.
Gardens have also been created at schools, which in turn are able to produce enough produce to supply local ECD centres.
This is such a wonderful opportunity for learning for the children too, as they can be involved in all growth stages in the garden, from preparing the soil and planting the seedlings to watering the vegetables and helping to maintain the garden. They can then harvest the vegetables, clean them, cut them and eat them! Real life learning at its best.
Once the residents and/or staff are trained in how to maintain their gardens, they continue with the daily upkeep of their gardens. The manner in which the farming is done is by using the methods of Farming God's Way, which uses little water and works well in the South African climate.
For impactful change to occur we cannot do this alone. If you'd like to join us as a private citizen/volunteer, an NGO, NPO, or a business, in making a much-needed difference in the lives of others in South Africa, please email ecd@fnb.co.za.
We'd love to hear from you.
ENDS.
