Community efforts targets child stunting in Mooketsi area
The Grow Great Campaign is tackling child stunting in South Africa, focusing on early childhood nutrition and the first 1 000 days of life.
LIMPOPO – South Africa continues to grapple with child stunting, a major early childhood development challenge.
The Grow Great Campaign is working to halve stunting by 2030 and ultimately eliminate it, an effort highlighted during a community engagement in Maphalle village, outside Mooketsi, on April 8.
Community engagement raises awareness
The event brought together community health workers (CHWs), caregivers, and local stakeholders to raise awareness about child nutrition and early development, with a strong focus on the first 1 000 days of life, from conception to age two, widely regarded as the most critical period for growth and brain development.
Community-based support for families
Grow Great uses community-based interventions to support families with the knowledge and services needed to raise healthy children.
CHWs, including Grow Great champions, play a key role by conducting home visits, monitoring child growth, promoting breastfeeding and nutrition, and referring families to clinics when needed.
They also provide emotional support and practical guidance to caregivers.
Guidance for caregivers
Caregivers are encouraged to practise exclusive breastfeeding for six months, introduce diverse and nutritious foods thereafter, and attend regular growth monitoring sessions, while also ensuring stimulation, hygiene, and healthcare access.
Programmes and advocacy efforts
The campaign also runs programmes such as flourish classes for mothers, alongside behaviour-change initiatives and advocacy to improve child nutrition policies and services.
“Grow Great is focused on one clear goal, to end child stunting in South Africa by targeting the first 1 000 days of life,” said Atlehang Sehlare.
“Through community-based support, we are equipping caregivers with the knowledge and resources to help children reach their full potential.”
Role of community health workers
CHWs further support families by tracking growth, identifying malnutrition, encouraging immunisation and clinic visits, and linking mothers to nutrition advice and support networks.
