Dear Supporters We hope you are well and remain so during this unprecedented time. We wish to update you regarding e’Pap feeding in South Africa. The South African government ordered that all schools close on Wednesday, 18 March. The closure of schools has implications for the feeding projects that we fund, […]
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Message from the GRCT trustees
Walmer Township near Port Elizabeth – John Masiza Primary School and St Augustine’s Pre-school pictured. There is unquestionably a huge need for good nutrition for South African children such as these. We see time and again the significant benefits of the e’Pap projects. On one of the walls of the Missionvale Care Centre (also near Port Elizabeth) there is written: “I may be only one person but I can be one person who makes a difference.” This applies to each supporter who helps these projects to happen and also be sustained.
Missionvale Care Centre near Port Elizabeth was founded thirty years ago by the inspirational Sister Ethel (second from right) and is an oasis in a desert of huge need. The GRCT funds e’Pap and midday sandwiches for the children at the primary school there. Unemployment in the area is now estimated at a staggering 80%, so there is huge need.
Juliet Fellows, a longstanding supporter of the GRCT, visited these schools last year: “It was both humbling and inspiring to meet all the people on the ground who were delivering the e’Pap and the teachers looking after the children in often very difficult circumstances. They all said how important the e’Pap has been for the children’s health and energy levels.”
Sivuyela school for deaf children in Knysna is run by a very committed lady Collina, who is deaf herself, and her husband Andile. The children have been getting e’Pap for some time but recently we agreed to fund a midday meal as well.
The teacher at Panda Play School has reported that children had arrived at the creche initially covered in sores but these soon healed when they got a regular e’Pap breakfast.
Our new project in Kleinmond is co-ordinated by Alta Van Wyk. She runs a school in this area, an area which suffers from high levels of unemployment and alcohol and substance abuse. She is delighted to help make e’Pap breakfasts available to children in this community.
The soup kitchen where e’Pap is served to local children in the informal settlement, just outside the town of Vryburg. On average around 150 children turn up – between the ages of 2 to 13.