We believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Learners who are hungry have diminished concentration levels, they lack energy to do what is required of them and more often than not pose problems to the teachers and other learners in their class.
Haven of Strength saw that many learners go to school hungry. It is, therefore, for this reason that we recognized a need for a Breakfast Feeding Scheme.
The pilot runs at Hillwood Primary School in Lavender Hill, where approximately 1000 learners are currently attending. At present we are providing a nutritious breakfast 3 times a week. The breakfast is in the form of a bowl of cereal such as Jungle Oats. Our financial situation, unfortunately, allows us to only feed 450 of these learners a day. It’s sad to see many of the kids turned away when there isn’t any more cereal left for them.
Because of the increasing need for classroom space at the primary school, we have been forced to give up the space that we once used for serving and seating the learners. This has resulted in us having to feed the learners outside one of the classrooms. This is, unfortunately, a temporary arrangement as we will not be able to continue doing this during winter. We really wouldn’t like to stop our breakfast project as this has become a very important meal to all learners. Many of the kids who enjoy breakfast with us haven’t had supper the night before.
We are, therefore, desperately needing two converted shipping containers. One of which will be the serving area and the other being the seating area. Receiving this will be such a mighty blessing to all who benefit from the breakfast project.
In addition to the Breakfast Feeding Scheme, it is also our desire to feed kids from the community with a delicious plate of food. This will be done at least 2 times a week or as our financial situation allows.
It may seem as if Haven of Strength is only providing a meal, but to the kid it will show that someone cares about them, shows interest in their lives, someone wants to listen to their problems and help them solve it. We’re committed to changing the lives of these kids by countering the negative influences that they have to deal with daily.
Haven of Strength aims to be ‘Not Just Another Feeding Scheme’. Many people have launched feeding schemes which is great because it fills a need in the community. There’s just one problem though. The child gets fed and leaves with nothing really. On the same day that same child goes to the next feeding scheme, gets fed and again leaves with nothing. When we launched Haven of Strength, our main ‘Policy’ was that we would aim to empower all those who cross our paths. We would make certain that they leave with knowledge that will empower them for the future.
Operates in: Cape Town, Western Cape
Established in: October 2007
Non-Profit Organisation Number: 057-745
Public Benefit Organisation Number:
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number:
Contact person: Avril du Preez
Phone: 021 701 2514
Fax: 086 525 1953
Email:
Website: www.charitysa.co.za/haven-of-strength.html
Physical address: 7b Ipsting Road, Lavender Hill, Retreat
Postal address: 7b Ipsting Road, Lavender Hill, Retreat, 7945
