The DO MORE FOUNDATION [1] is thrilled to announce the milestone achievements highlighted in its 2024 Impact Report [2] this World Children’s Day (20 November). As part of an enduring mission to uplift the lives of young children and their families, the Foundation has, in eight communities across South Africa, supported 526 ECD centres and empowered 1,260 ECD workers in to ensure the 20,929 young children under their care are afforded quality nutrition, early learning and supportive caregivers.

Over and above these eight communities, the Foundation’s nutrition programme footprint reaches children in an additional 22 communities. Over the last year, more than six million meals of DoMore Porridge were donated to ECD centres in 30 communities across South Africa, feeding 27,617 young children one bowl of this nutritious porridge every school day for a year.

“Quality early childhood care is not a privilege, it’s a right,” says Warren Farrer, CEO of the DO MORE FOUNDATION, “and the impact we made in F24 underscores how strategic investment in ECD directly benefits both individual children and society at large. With a focus on health, nutrition, education and holistic care, our efforts contribute to the sustainable development of entire communities by nurturing the potential of their youngest members”.

UNICEF’s World Children’s Day 2024: “Listen to the Future”

These achievements resonate with the goals of World Children’s Day [3], with this year’s theme being “Listen to the Future”. UNICEF is calling on adults to prioritize children’s voices and rights, especially in marginalized communities where access to quality ECD services is limited.

The DO MORE FOUNDATION stands alongside this mission. Through its community-specific and national programmes, the Foundation demonstrates how listening to all stakeholders involved in ECD and investing in the holistic development of young children can drive meaningful positive change for a community and the country’s future.

CEO of the DO MORE FOUNDATION, Warren Farrer, highlights the significance of every World Children’s Day: “To the DO MORE FOUNDATION, every World Children’s Day represents a continuous pledge to nurture, empower, and create lasting opportunities for young children, supporting their growth and well-being every day”.

Collective impact: Coming together to meet the needs of young children

The DO MORE FOUNDATION’s impact is underpinned by a network of over 260 partners from across all sectors that together enable community-specific and broader national programmes to address key challenges within ECD. The Foundation plays a ‘backbone’ role by coordinating these diverse partners (businesses, government and traditional authorities, community leaders, ECD centres, academic institutions and NPOs), linking policies with grassroots action, and mobilising resources through Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and private donor funding.

Enterprise development programmes boost household financial security 

In addition to supporting ECD in communities, the DO MORE FOUNDATION empowers women, youth entering the workforce, and young adults with disabilities through enterprise development programmes that focus on comprehensive training and resources [4].

By supporting the creation of sustainable livelihoods for marginalised groups like women and disabled youth as well as increasing the employability of young people, the DO MORE FOUNDATION and its partners enable them to support their families, growth in local economy and prosperity in the community.

Balungile, a single mother to two children living in Hammarsdale, is one of the 2023 Township Economy programme graduates. She is now the owner of her own spa business: “There are a lot of things that have changed since I have joined this programme. I’m living the life that I want, and I have fulfilled a life-long dream. Whatever I do, the success and prosperity of my business comes first. Now that I know what business really is, I know that I must save money and do things professionally.”

In the last financial year, the Foundation has provided business training and mentorship to 83 women-led SMMEs, 90 disabled youth have been integrated into the Foundation’s #DoMorePlay project, and 139 youth entering the workforce have been trained in either basic computer or woodworking skills.

Every day is World Children’s Day

The Foundation and its partners prioritise young children in South Africa and together drive collective action to protect and advance their rights. By continuing to invest in and expand their impact, the Foundation aims to create better tomorrows for young children so that they, their families and communities can thrive.

ABOUT

[1] The DO MORE FOUNDATION (founded by RCL FOODS) is a proudly South African independent non-profit organisation with a vision and purpose to ‘create better tomorrows for the young children and families of South Africa’ through partnerships.

Find out more about DO MORE FOUNDATION here.

[2] Read the full 2024 Impact Report here.

[3] Find out more about World Children’s Day here.

[4] Read a case study about the Township Economy programme here.

“Hi, my name is Veronicca Ndhlovu. I am 17 and a Grade 11 student. I have a tight group of girls and we share all kinds of advice on life, love and our dreams. One of the girls is pregnant, she still comes to school, she didn’t use a condom or she didn’t have the contraceptive pill, I’m not sure – we didn’t get into all the details. In life orientation they said that knowing your HIV status is important. I don’t want to get HIV. I am not having sex but all my friends are, and I kind of feel left out. I wanted to prepare myself when my moment comes, so I went to the clinic a street away from my home to ask for options to prevent getting HIV and mostly to not get pregnant when the time comes and I am ready. I just needed info and I was so proud of myself – you’ve got this, Vero, I thought.”

Well, not what I expected.

The nurse asked me invasive, personal questions. “Why do you want those things? Are you sleeping around? Children like you should be in school, not here looking for things that don’t concern you.” I felt judged, ashamed and unwelcome. I am not even doing these things the nurse is accusing me of – how are my friends who do need these options doing it? I left with nothing. Thank goodness my mom got involved and we found a new clinic that was willing to help me. I just needed information!

That was 10 years ago.

This is still the reality for many young people today.

Hi, my name is Veronicca, now, Molefe. I am 28 and I lead a team of youthful professionals who provide sexual and reproductive health services to adolescent girls and young woman with Shout-It-Now. I was also recently appointed 2^nd deputy chairperson on SANAC’s Health Professionals Civil Society Forum. In these two roles I support, advocate for and develop policies and programmes that address the unique challenges faced by young people in accessing sexual reproductive health (SRH) services in a non-judgmental and relatable environment, particularly preventative services that relate to unwanted pregnancy, HIV and abuse.

The tragedy is that teenage girls in South Africa, and more particularly, girls growing up in impoverished circumstances, are at high risk of becoming pregnant and of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Young males too, are at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, but not to the same extent.

South Africa has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the world. It has been estimated that in the 2022/2023 financial year, 150 000 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 had fallen pregnant – which means that at least 150 000 girls had unprotected sex. These young bodies are not even developed enough to carry a baby.

There are free services like the HIV prevention pill, contraception and social services to discuss abuse specifically for the youth. Why are they not taking up these services? The harsh reality is often simply a result of girls wanting access but being met with judgement, scrutiny and shame when seeking these services.

Youth-friendly spaces have become an urgent necessity, as well as service providers who understand the lifestyles and struggles of the youth and can serve without judgement.

Shout-It-Now recruits its staff from the communities they serve, with more than 75% of staff being under the age of 35. We provide various sexual and reproductive information programs and biomedical services, so regardless of a client’s lifestyle, whether they have made their sexual debut, are planning their sexual debut, abstaining from sex or have no choice due to abusive circumstances – our nurses, social workers and healthcare providers serve them without judgement. Our peer ambassadors who have been through our programs and services welcome our clients to our mobile clinics, and every day we purposefully endeavour to create a space for open conversations. Clients have a choice of digital access to information, whether through our connect hub (call centre) or our social media platforms and we follow this tonality from digital to in-person consults.

SANAC’s national strategic plan 2023-2028 aims to reduce barriers to accessing health and social services and promotes a new and urgent focus to reduce inequalities for all people living with HIV, TB, and STIs who are not benefiting from treatment and care services.

The SANAC agenda includes developing and delivering programmes and policies that are relevant and implementable on a wide scale within South Africa. In achieving SANAC’s plan, widespread prevention and treatment services and facilities that are accessible and youth-friendly must be provided and young health professionals who understand youth lifestyles and will provide non-judgmental and comprehensive information, support and services should be employed.

This will only be possible through a collective effort from national, provincial and local government, relevant NGOs and other health sector organisations and the public. We need to face the realities as indicated in the statistics and shift stigma and gender norms, have a reality check and start having open conversations about sex and relationships in serving the youth instead of conforming to outdated, conservative beliefs.

My goal is to play a role in ensuring that young people recognise that their health is their most valuable asset, and that they need to make every effort to safeguard it, accessing services and seeking help, staying informed, asking questions, and boldly reaching out for support. They have a right to know that their voices matter. Together with the youth, we can help to shape health services that serve the whole country and create healthy futures for all young people.

Having been the 17-year-old girl who was failed by the public health sector 10 years ago, it is now my privilege and my core focus to be the change advocate and support that today’s youth deserve.

*SANAC – South African National AIDS Council brings together government, civil society and the private sector to create a collective response to HIV, TB, and STIs in South Africa.