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.
References:
[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.
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