60 Students participating in the FNB Fund bursary programme experienced the two main aspects of Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa, viz. the volunteer based Meal Packaging Event and the Outcomes Based Food Support Programme, at the FNB Fund Winter Workshop held on Wednesday 11 July 2012.  

The students arrived at the Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa’s warehouse in Germiston eager to begin packaging meals. One Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa meal costs R2,50 and consists of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and 21 essential vitamins and minerals. In less than two hours these very enthusiastic, energetic youngsters packaged 5,400 meals. The event had a wonderful vibe and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. One young lady said of the event “The team work, the vibe, it was just so much fun and we really enjoyed it.”

The students then piled back into the bus and proceeded to distribute the meals that they had just packaged to three Early Childhood Development centres situated in Kathlehong.  The meals that these students packaged will feed children attending the Uthandolwakne Day Care, Othandwane Day Care and Little Angels Day Care for the next six months.  At each day care centre some of the students interacted with the little children that they had packaged meals for.  “It has taught me a lot – seeing someone smile because you did something for them is such a WOW experience!” said Mnisi Mkanya, after visiting the day care centres. 

Pearl Naidoo, from the FNB Fund, said, “To be able to contribute something that takes so little energy and to see the huge impact that it makes was amazing!” It was a very special experience to witness – young adults who are themselves being assisted with bursaries from FNB Fund delighted that they had played a part in feeding these little children.