DO MORE FOUNDATION and RCL FOODS empower Molteno community

Earlier in 2023, the DO MORE FOUNDATION — founded by RCL FOODS — joined forces with local implementing partner Khululeka. 

They launched the 'Everyone Gets to PLAY' (EGTP) collective impact model in Molteno. This initiative aims to boldly address the pressing issues of malnutrition, stunted growth and poor development outcomes affecting our most precious demographic: children aged naught to five.

 

According to the DO MORE FOUNDATION, an initial kick-off meeting of '#DoMore4Molteno' was held in March with 40 stakeholders. The meeting called upon all collaborators to unite in mobilising resources, funding, skills and expertise, pouring them into a dynamic 'basket of services' to promote the holistic development of young children. 

This responsive basket reflects insights gained from a recent situational analysis conducted in Molteno. As expressed by Jabu Mthembu-Dlamini, DO MORE FOUNDATION's community development lead, this analysis has provided invaluable information about the developmental needs of children in the community, helping DO MORE and Khulukeka to prioritise and tailor their efforts effectively.

This initiative is more than just a programme — it's a call to action for a brighter, more empowered future in Molteno, says DO MORE FOUNDATION.

 

By the end of November, DO MORE and its partners reached over 841 young children through the ongoing provision of DO MORE porridge to young children while they attend their local Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres.

Chairperson of the Inkwanca ECD forum Sindiswa Mcunukelwa says DO MORE has made a big difference in the lives of the Molteno in 2023. Beyond the provision of nutrition to young children, DO MORE, RCL FOODS and Khululeka have implemented a range of impactful initiatives focusing on parent / caregiver support and capacity building of the local ECD workforce.  

The programme recruits home visitors to conduct visits to households where children are not enrolled in ECD centres.

The primary objective is to enhance child development by refining parenting skills at the household level. They explain the necessity of parents to enrol their children in early learning programmes, such as those provided in ECD centres.

According to Sipho Mtakati, community development facilitator at Khululeka, "Getting buy-in from parents / caregivers in the community is integral to the success of EGTP in Molteno. In order for us to reach the child, we have to get through to the parent / caregiver. They need to own the programme and take an active role in its implementation."

 

Mtakati adds, "One parent said that since the beginning of the FHVP, her child has become more vocal, singing songs, counting and playing with the toys received from the programme. This is exactly what we want to see happening — children starting to play more and parents / carers supporting them. It is through play that children learn, grow and develop." 

 

So far, 16 ECD practitioners have been trained on this programme resulting in over 200 parents / caregivers benefiting from the learnings and teaching delivered during the sessions, says ELPT.  

 

According to Mcunukelwa, "This programme has helped quite a lot because it has opened the minds of the parents to carefully consider what they put on the plate for the children. Our centres have also been renovated to make sure that they all look presentable as children's centres with bright looking colours, and we have also been receiving replenishment of toys in our centres."

Capacity building and leadership development for local ECD centres has been rolled out through the Young Child Forum. This forum provides a platform for personal and professional development of community members in the ECD sector.

Mcunukelwa says, "One of the biggest things we are celebrating now is the launch of the Molteno ECD Forum. DO MORE has been very helpful in ensuring that this structure is formed as it will be a unifying body of the ECD sector in Molteno. DO MORE has also committed to the development and growth of this forum and will be sending us professionals to speak about critical topics on ECD, but more so professionalise our forum and improve the ECD sector in our community."

 

DO MORE and RCL FOODS concludes that the Eastern Cape is South Africa's poorest province, lacking much of the basic infrastructure, resources and institutional support required for its people to thrive.

By supporting the people of Molteno — with the intention to expand its footprint — through this responsive basket of services, DO MORE and RCL FOODS conclude that they are actively promoting the well-being, development and health of the broader community.

For more information, visit www.domore.org.za. You can also follow DO MORE FOUNDATION on Facebook, X or on Instagram.