Digital food vouchers offered to South African women during pregnancy have been found to have a statistically significant positive impact on levels of hunger among expectant mothers, their children and on mental health.
*Told by Mentor Mother Programme Manager Nomzamo Matodlana Community Health Worker (CHW) Babalwa had been feeling very frustrated with Sinazo, a drug-addicted mother, for quite some time. The mother had chased Babalwa away from her home several times, but Babalwa found it hard to leave the 5-year-old girl, the 3-year-old boy and the 7-month-old baby…
Like any young mother-to-be, 14-year-old Tintswalo Chauke* was terrified when she found out she was pregnant. The fact that she was not prepared for a child and that she still had her studies to worry about resulted in her becoming depressed. “My depression was caused by the pregnancy. I had not had my period for…
Opening up about one’s mental health challenges can be among the hardest thing to do in life, but Sarah Mashaba (34), a community health worker (CHW) based at Thomo Clinic, Giyani, believes that talking can not only improve one’s mental health, but save lives. She is proud of the fact that discussing mental health is…
Grow Great Champions (GGC) Master Trainer Bernardette Robertson had always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives since she was a teenager. Her desire to care for others, especially in times of need, would see her move from her hometown of Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast to Johannesburg after matriculating. She later became…
Born in Phiva at Mpumalanga, Vusimuzi Msibi, always knew that he was destined to care for those around him. The first of four siblings, Vusi had to take on the responsibilities of his parents after they passed away. “I am a mother, father and brother to those left with me,” he says. His passion for…
Prior to COVID-19, many South African households were already burdened with high levels of malnutrition. But then the pandemic came, and things got worse — lockdown restrictions left many families without income, some without access to social relief support, increasing the number of people not receiving safe, sufficient and nutritious food. A quarter of South…
