Marine Primary School has received a R36000 donation for its feeding scheme. From left are Jonathan Mills, Charmaine Michaels, Deborah van Graan, Sylvia Basson, Eben Collins, Kim-Lee Thomas, Hajira Bean, Melshaw Wyngaard and Hendrina Kelin who assisted with kitchen service on the day.
Marine Primary School in Ocean View has received a R36 000 donation for its school feeding scheme.
According to principal Wayne Lawrence, the Peninsula School Feeding Association provides vegetables, samp, rice, fish and other basic foods for the pupils, but the donation means the school can give nutrition an extra boost.
“The need for food is great, especially post-Covid. Children who are malnourished or who are experiencing short-term hunger have limited capacities to learn. You can’t teach a hungry child,” he said.
The school's feeding programme gives 300 children breakfast every morning and a protein-rich meal at 10am.
Melshaw Wyngaard, a former Marine Primary School pupil, heard from German donors he met while running community tours that they wanted to help the school.
“Since 2015, these donors have been hosting Grade R yearly parties at Marine Primary School providing gifts and basic stationery packs as a way of giving back. They fell in love with the school and donate money whenever they can," he said.
The donors wish to remain anonymous.
Mr Wyngaard contacted Jonathan Mills, chairman of the CareCompany Benefit Trust, which provides care for the elderly, to facilitate the donation.
“Many people who wish to do good in their communities may be unable to do so since they don't have an NPO, and many NPOs don't have the 18A tax exemption status we have. This allows us to act in a governance role to fill those gaps,” said Mr Mills.
With the improved menu, which now includes spices, potatoes, pasta, meat and chicken necks, deputy principal Hajira Bean said the feeding programme was being used by more children.
“If these children don’t eat anything at home, they are sure that when they come to school they will eat. No child is turned away from our feeding scheme. We have an open policy - if you are hungry you can get a meal,” she said.
When the Echo visited the school, children from all grades lined up, anxiously awaiting their food.
The Echo asked a Grade 4 pupil if he was looking forward to his meal.
“Yes, I can't wait,” he replied, adding that he did not get warm food at home.
A Grade R pupil, who handed her plate back with a big smile on her face, said her mother never cooked at home.
“I like to come to the feeding scheme, and the food is always nice,” she said.
The donation has also allowed the school to buy 100 new plates and 100 sets of cutlery for the pupils.
With limited space, many of the pupils have to eat standing up outside the school kitchen, and if it rains, they get sent to their classrooms to eat. The school hopes to change this.
“We hope in the near future to be able to provide them with an enclosed space with tables and chairs for them to sit down and enjoy their meals because it's not just about feeding them, but feeding them with dignity," Mr Lawrence said.