A delegation from Liquid Intelligent Technologies, together with their partner, Wellspring NPO, visited two early childhood development (ECD) centres outside Mthatha, on April 7, to monitor the nutrition programme roll-out that is currently benefiting 54 ECD centres.
The nutrition programme, which involves the distribution of nutritional supplement bars and porridge to learners at these ECD centres, is part of Liquid Intelligent Technologies’ investment in community upliftment initiatives.
The team visited Zwelivelile and Kusile ECD centres in Upper Xhongora and Tabase Mission, respectively, which have been benefiting from the nutritional programme for more than five years.
The nutritional supplement bars, called Nkosi Superbars, together with the porridge, are produced by the Wellspring NPO and then distributed to the early childhood centres by their distribution partner, Jam SA.
“This project was invested in, as part of us uplifting the community we are part of, and it is also aligned with bringing our vision to life,” said Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa public sector executive, Reginald Jooste.
“Liquid SA has invested in this programme to ensure that learners across 54 crèches in Mthatha have daily access to the nutritional supplement bars and porridge. These bars help stimulate their young minds and provide much-needed nourishment. This in turn helps influence the development of their brain. No child can learn on an empty stomach, and the proper nutritional intake is vital for their development,” Jooste added.
Liquid SA’s involvement in the nutritional programme in Mthatha started in April 2021, although it has been in existence for years, under the Wellspring NPO.
“We want to be sure how much nutrition every child gets per week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, each child gets the Nkosi Superbar and Tuesdays and Fridays they are served the fortified porridge meal.
“The whole idea is to not replace anything that the child is already receiving but to be on top of that,” said Wellspring NPO founder, Joe Niemand.
“The whole nutrition programme has been designed to be able to function specifically in hard-to-reach areas where there is not necessarily enough infrastructure so we can lift the nutritional intake of the learners,” Niemand added.
Parents at both visited ECD centres have given glowing reviews of the nutritional programme, saying it had developed their children both physically and mentally.
