Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
Described by Nelson Mandela as 'exhilarating and precarious', Alexandra Township (Alex) in north eastern Johannesburg is a sprawling ghetto. A Presidential Node, Alex has been identified by the SA Government as an area of exceptional need. Over half a million people live in an area of approximately two square kilometres. HIV/AIDS, TB and malnutrition are rife. There are many orphans and vulnerable children.
HETN’s intervention in Alex is to apply a population based feeding programme through a network of crèches. HETN is partnering with the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP). They have identified over 400 informal crèches, providing childcare for 10,000 preschool children of the city's poorest residents. Mothers or carers need to work or to seek work, so they leave their children – from the age of 4 months to 7 years – at these crèches from early morning until late evening.
HETN is using e'Pap - a novel, pre-cooked, MVM-fortified, wholegrain, maize / soya / sorghum mix, which has been shown to be effective in restoring healthy nutritional status in individuals who were previously nutritionally deplete. It delivers, in a single food portion, 28 nutrients in a bioavailable form. Within 6 weeks of receiving e'Pap, the children’s skin and hair improves, their colds disappear, they gain weight and not only interact, but play noisily all day.
It may surprise you to know that it costs just £1 per month to provide each child with a daily meal of e’Pap.
The importance of proper nutrition, particularly for growing children, cannot be overstressed. Please help. I am trying to raise enough to feed 100 of these children for a year.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: HETN gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor me now! For more information about HETN, go to www.hetn.org
