ACFS nursing sisters regularly visit primary
schools to screen children for malnutrition– and other
health problems which are referred to the relevant authorities.
Ours is the only organisation performing this service.
School visits also provide an opportunity to talk to learners
and teachers about nutrition, HIV/AIDS and immunization.
ACFS sisters
visit the homes of children identified during the screening process
in order to help the family holistically.
Mothers are issued with food
coupons to collect daily rations for their
children, as well as a monthly food parcel.
Grandmothers and child-headed households receive assistance to
access social grants and pensions.
Mothers and grandmothers are advised to attend weekly group meetings
at our centres to learn about nutrition,
health, food gardening, etc.
In particular, they are encouraged to work their own vegetable
bed at the centre, to supplement the family's diet
with fresh cabbage, carrots, spinach and pumpkin.
Mothers also gain skills such as sewing, beading, cooking, etc
with a view to becoming economically independent.
Children are regularly weighed and their upper arms measured and
plotted on our 'Road to Health' chart. Families are encouraged
to work towards independence and as soon as their circumstances
improve, they are removed from the feeding scheme and others
in need are added.
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