The simple R2 donated by ‘Add Hope’ in KFC stores, has enabled charities to ensure thousands of young people and their families are food secure.
One of those charities in Afrika Tikkun, which is dedicated to the eradication of poverty by caring for vulnerable children in townships.
Using a holistic development model, Afrika Tikkun runs programmes that address the various needs of township children and youth with the end goal being their successful placement in careers or tertiary learning facilities.
Every year, Afrika Tikkun reaches up to 16 000 young people and their families with developmental programmes from cradle to career. Part of their service to the disadvantaged communities they serve, is to feed approx. 1100 Early Childhood Development (ECD) learners, 3000 primary and high school learners, 700 post matric learners between 2 to 4 times daily depending on the needs of the beneficiary.
The menus have been designed to be nutritious, well-balanced and delicious – meeting the nutritional requirements of growing young people.
The impact of the daily meals and the food parcels provided to young people in the context of family through the R2 Add hope campaign is better seen through lives that have been meaningfully changed.
Kegomoditswe’s story
Kegomoditswe’s mother was a part time domestic worker who lost her job – leaving her without an income to feed her 3 children. She was going to drop out of school, when she was introduced to Afrika Tikkun, who supported her with a meal every day and food parcels. At the end of matric, she got 5 distinctions, and is now studying mechatronics at UCT on a bursary.
Koketso’s story
Koketso’s parents are unemployed, and many nights the family would go without a meal. He joined Afrika Tikkun in 2009. Now he no longer worries about food and dedicates his attention to his two great passions – maths and helping young people learn maths. He is one of the top ten learners in his school and has just won a bursary to study at a private school for boys. In his spare time, he volunteers at the library to teach maths to anyone who needs it. His dream is to become a soil scientist to alleviate the environmental challenges South Africa faces.
The Matsinhe Family’s story
The Matsinhe Family’s parents left their 5 children in Johannesburg to fend for themselves. A neighbourhood uncle started supporting them with food. Then he started abusing the two daughters. Now that they have joined Afrika Tikkun, and receive meals and food parcels, they no longer have to endure rape and depend on abusers. Afrika Tikkun was involved in ensuring the “uncle” was arrested.
Luyanda’s story
Luyanda’s mother left him and his two sisters to find work in Cape Town. His schoolwork suffered and they eventually lost their home. Afrika Tikkun supported them – helping them find a place to stay, stop worrying, stop going hungry so that he and his sisters could concentrate on school. He excelled in matric and is now at Afrika Tikkun where he serves his community as a youth leader and child and youth development intern.
Poppy’s story
Poppy, age 5, disappeared from her Early Childhood Development class. She was found some time later rummaging for food in a dustbin in Diepsloot. She had lost her mother. Afrika Tikkun helped her find a relative to stay with and supported them with food parcels, meals, and donations. She returned to class , and is catching up in all her learning.
Ms Letsogo’s story
Ms Letsogo was the sole carer and provider for her six grandchildren until her health began to deteriorate. First, she lost the full function of her lower limbs and then her speech, which led to her losing her job, making it almost impossible for her to provide food for her grandchildren. They were referred to Afrika Tikkun by community members. The family now receives food parcels on a monthly basis and Ms Letsogo’s health has improved. Ms Letsogo’s grandchildren have all been integrated into our Uthando centre and are receiving meals daily in addition to full support of their development and academics.
Oratile’s story
Oratile is an ECD learner, and one of the brightest kids in her class. Last year her family went through a difficult time. Both her parents lost their jobs. A lot changed, Oratile’s participation in class dropped; and she started withdrawing socially even though she was known to be a cheerful kid. Afrika Tikkun intervened. They made sure she was provided with a meal and clothes. Recently, her parents came forward to say they had found work and no longer needed the extra support of food parcels and donations. All through their time of vulnerability for the family Afrika Tikkun was able to support the family until they turned the corner.
Asanda and Nkosingiphile’s story
Asanda, age 11 and Nkosingiphile, age 15, are attending Child and Youth Development programmes. They come from a family of 7 whose shack was burned down. When the family had absolutely nothing, Afrika Tikkun was able to assist them with both clothing and food. In addition, the children also received emotional support from the social worker to ensure that their academics were not obstructed.
Respect’s story
At the age of 12, Respect lost his only parent, his mother to illness and was left orphaned. He was given a church storeroom to live in but had no income, or food, or clothing. Being ambitious and determined to make something of his life, he approached Afrika Tikkun. Afrika Tikkun advocated and motivated that the church grant him space for a shack. They then built a shack for him and his uncle, and continued to support them with food parcels. After matric, he participated in our Skills Development Programme and got a job at Shoprite. Currently, he is registered at the University of Johannesburg for a Diploma in Accountancy.
As we celebrate World Hunger month, it is important to recognise that investment in food security programmes that complement developmental programmes with growth targeted outcomes are investments that keeps on giving.
KFC Add Hope Campaign has through Afrika Tikkun ensured that something as small as R2 makes a world of difference in a sustainable way.
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