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The Need

The Fact

The latest University of Cape Town report reveals 3 out of 4 children go hungry every day because 30% of our population live in poverty with food insecurity.

The Result

At school – these hungry children are unable to concentrate. Whilst hunger gnaws at them, they can’t think about anything else. Or else they simply don’t attend school at all.


The Consequence

The deficits of under-nutrition in children becomes irreversible if not addressed.  Additional to the disastrous effect of hunger on education and a child’s future, another far-reaching outcome is a generation with poor immune systems, frequent illness, and a link to life-threatening diseases in adult life. Today’s unmet need will have serious consequences for tomorrow, without intervention.


The Answer

To develop into his or her full potential, every child needs regular balanced nutrition across all food groups – protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.  Our breakfasts and lunches are designed and prepared accordingly – at only R2.75/day. Daily school meals provide an incentive to attend school, and help children to focus on their studies. As an individual, a family, a group, a club, or a company, you can help to provide this essential nutrition, thereby growing an educated, healthy, and winning generation.

"Hunger is actually the worst weapon of mass destruction. It claims millions of victims each year.”

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - Past President of Brazil

Which Schools

We serve schools situated in the Western Cape that do not qualify for the Government’s National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) subsidy, but where the need exists; and those schools where the Government subsidy isn’t sufficient to feed all the hungry and malnourished learners. PSFA also provides food at Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC’s), Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) safe Parks and at TVET colleges.

How many Schools?

PSFA currently feeds 26 288 hungry learners at a total of 166 educational institutions in the Western Cape. The breakdown is as follows:

  • 24 645 learners are fed at 148 primary, high and special needs schools
  • 493 children are fed at 12 Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD’s)
  • 450 children are fed at four Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) safe parks and
  • 700 students are fed at two Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVETS)

We continue to receive many applications from educational institutions to be included on our feeding programme. This can only be done with funding provided by donors.

Which Children?

Our feeding programme is not open to the whole school.  Those children who qualify are identified for us by the principal and teachers at each school. Indicators are:

  • known family poverty
  • fainting in class
  • no packed lunches
  • lack of concentration
  • poor quality of school work and
  • disruptive behaviour.
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