School feeding programme raises hope for poor children

For many school pupils receiving expensive toys or big parties on their birthday seems like a dream come true but for Amber McCall, a 17-year-old pupil of Pro-Practicum School, having food on the table will do.

It has been tough for her mother to support her and her four siblings. Her father passed away when her mother was still pregnant with her. The family lives in a two bedroom house. She sleeps on the couch while other members of the household share the two rooms. Her mother is unemployed. Her elder sister receives a small amount of pay to put food on the table.

For Amber, the worst part is her mother’s partner doesn’t always contribute in supporting the household.

“Then mom tells us that things are going to get a little tight this month, so we need to eat less.”

Amber says it is also harder for her to study after school because she sometimes needs to help around the house. “Mom sometimes needs me to change one of the little one’s diapers or make coffee. It makes it difficult to do homework.”

Amber was very ill when she was younger, causing her to miss four years of school. “It doesn’t matter to me because now I have the chance of growing up, learning and taking responsibility for my life.” Amber said. To Amber school is not all bad.

“At school I can at least receive a proper plate of food,” Amber said. Pro-practicum School has feeding scheme which supplies nutritious food to disadvantaged children. Instead of giving the children two slices of bread and spread, the school has started a cooked meal program giving children pumpkin, spinach, samp, chicken, rice, cabbage and other nutritious vegetables. Every child receives a fruit with their meal as well.

Justun de Beer, a 13-year-old pupil says that the food aids him as well.

“The food is always delicious and it makes the day much easier,” Justun said. He has also had a tough upbringing which led to the disruption of his school work.

Justun’s parents delivered twin babies into the family a while ago. And, for them to be able to live in the tiny house was difficult. He and his brother moved out of the house and shared a tent in the back yard instead. They lived in this tent for about two months before they could finally move back into the house.

Pro-Practicum try to aid children like Justin and Amber in any way they can.

Jan Swanepoel, manager of the feeding scheme says they additionally supply clothes to some pupils as well. “Some children come to school with short sleeves in winter.” Swanepoel said. “It is crazy to think some of them would fight the cold just to get an education.”

The school holds fundraisers to aid in their feeding scheme program. The most recent fundraiser was held in April and a whopping R30 000 was collected. This enabled the school to buy clothes and food for members of the feeding scheme. It’s said there are more than 90 pupils who live in Randfontein who receives food and other aiding materials from the feeding scheme.

The next fundraiser will be held on 4 and 5 November where items made by pupils of this school will be sold at a small profit. Keep an eye on Pro-Practicum School’s website for more information about this event.

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