Nourishing the Future: This Mother’s Day, Support Mothers and Children in Their First 1,000 Days
In South Africa’s early childhood development (ECD) centers, a powerful transformation is taking place. Children aren’t just receiving meals — they’re gaining the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Rise Against Hunger Africa’s Early Childhood Development Connect (ECD Connect) program is helping drive this change. The program provides nutritious meals to centers serving children ages 0-6, creating both immediate nourishment and allowing centers to redirect funds toward improving their facilities and services.
Our newest Nutrition Series video takes you inside these vital centers, where the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life are supported through proper nutrition and education. This window — from conception to age 2 — sets the foundation for lifelong health and development.
“When I look at him, I [see] a lot of improvement,” shares Joyce Mbeie, whose child attends Rhelokemelenge Preschool & Nursery ECD. “It seems like the teacher and the principal are taking good care of him.”
Through ECD Connect, children receive quality education alongside nutritious meals, often supplemented by homegrown school gardens. The impact reaches beyond the classroom, helping break cycles of malnutrition that have affected families for generations.
“After they [eat] Rise Against Hunger meals at the center, there’s a huge difference from our children. They’re so fresh. They’re so active,” explains Irene, a mother whose child attends MorningStar ECD.
Sanna Mokoena, founder and principal of MorningStar, sees the complete benefits: “They are being developed. They are being stimulated. Also, they are having nutritious meals.”
This Mother’s Day, you can help mothers and their children by making a difference in those first 1,000 days — and beyond. For just $1 a day, you can support programs that provide both immediate nutrition and pathways to long-term food security.
Watch our new Nutrition Series video and then join our movement to create healthier futures for generations of children in South Africa and around the world. Because when it comes to ending hunger, it starts with a meal®, and it starts with you.