𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗼 𝗠𝗯𝗲𝗸𝗶 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲

Elizabeth Banda, a grandmother with a heart for children and a dedicated entrepreneur, established the Ebenezer Preschool to support herself after losing her job and to care for children in her community who lack caregivers and grandmothers to look after them during the day while their parents attended to their jobs.

Her preschool, that cares for 25 children, is situated in Thabo Mbeki Village, an informal settlement in Randburg predominantly composed of shacks, with high levels of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity. Research indicates that children who skip breakfast are more likely to face challenges with brain function and learning.

Elizabeth has seen this firsthand and notes, “The children often arrive here without a proper breakfast. The fortified Unity Meal breakfasts have been invaluable because children start the day with nutritious food. We were informed that this porridge is rich in protein and other essential nutrients, and you can see the difference in the children—they become more energetic and vibrant – they become children again.”

The Unity Meals are generously provided through a partnership between HOPE worldwide SA, FUTURELIFE, the Dis-Chem Foundation, Nivea, and Octodec. This collaboration is making a significant impact on Elizabeth, the children in her care and in several other parts of the country.