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Home | International | 8 November 2010 - Club helps feed hungry kids in South Africa

Mon Nov 8th 2010
Photo shows Lallie Viljoen of E-Pap accepting a cheque for 91,000 Rand from Rotarian Joan Huskisson and Knysna Rotary Club President Franc Bentley.

When Patrick Fleming of the UK-based charity Garden Route Children’s Trust gave a talk to the Rotary Club of Amersham nearly a year ago, he could not have expected the ripple effect seen today in Knysna, South Afrrica.

The Garden Route Children’s Trust has dozens of volunteers who oversee the daily feeding of young and pre-school children in the many primary schools along this famous area of South Africa. The poverty here is endemic, and many children arrive at school hungry.

In his talk to Amersham Rotarians, Mr Fleming had emphasized the widespread use of E-Pap and the advantages of this food in combatting malnutrition in impoverished areas, and the Amersham Rotarians immediately decided to do a fundraising event for this worthy cause.  

Knysna Rotary Club contributed, the International Rotary Foundation added more and  today the President of Knysna Rotary Club handed over a cheque for over 91,000 Rands (approximately £8,400), the result achieved in this Matching Grant.

This is to be spent both on E-pap for the many needy youngsters in local schools as well as 500 kg of dried soya granules for stew for the many hungry older ones.

The food is bulk-ordered and costs are kept low, about £12 per child. The cheque presented allows 750 children to be fed for a year and we are proud to have helped in this way.

No wonder some called it a Magic Grant.