Silverstar aims to help youngsters grow
Silverstar and the Head Start Children's Foundation have kicked off a programme that will ensure the physical and mental development of children in Munsieville and Kagiso is on track.
The first five years of a child’s life are the most important. This is when they develop the most, both mentally and physically. Unfortunately for children around the world, malnourishment, is a problem that can stunt their growth.
Silverstar recently committed to a three-year programme when they launched a nutritional supplement programme in Kagiso and Munsieville to help alleviate this problem.
The new nutrition programme aims to impact more than 850 toddlers from 14 early childhood development (ECD) centres, and Grade R learners from three primary schools.
The organisation will be investing more than R1,4 million in the programme that is to be run by the Head Start Children’s Foundation.
Head Start is a non-profit organisation that works with different stakeholders to assist young children from underprivileged communities with the correct tools to get a head start in life.
There are four stages in this programme, which kicked off in the beginning of April. First, the children’s physical and brain growth needs to be monitored every three to six months.
During these three days, Silverstar and Head Start employees went to the schools and ECD centres to weigh the kids, measure their height and head circumference.
Secondly, each child gets a nutritional supplement called ‘Little Bits’. This micro-nutrient supplement provides 15 essential vitamins and minerals for proper growth and development.
Then the children get dewormed every six months to ensure a worm infestation does not delay the child’s nutritional intake.
Lastly, they will monitor the children’s haemoglobin annually. This detects their iron levels and ensures that enough oxygen is getting to the child’s brain.
