Filling more than one gap

This is according to Project Feed the Children’s general manager, Philip Stoneman.

Every year, more than 200-million children under the age of five fail to reach their full cognitive and social potential.

Stoneman said many of these children are destined to underachieve in school and experience low-income potential when they reach adulthood.

He said these children develop into adults who have a higher risk of having children at a young age, in turn providing poor health care and stimulation to their children.

Stoneman said PFTC do not not only feed hungry tummies, but provide an environment for stimulation through the use of play, song and a book and toy libraries, assisting with adequate childhood development.

The objective is not only to feed people, but also to foster change in the community.

‘‘This process is slow, and because we are also focusing on feeding the heart, mind, body and soul, one will only see quantitative change in years to come,’’ he explained.

‘‘However, where children would previously go without food each day, they now have a nutritious meal.

‘‘Secondly, where before children were unable to count or read, we now see children counting to 10 and learning to interact with others.’’

Stoneman said the charity fills the gap in the community by providing hope through feeding, social and emotional upliftment, spiritual support, counselling, spiritual growth, trauma support and counselling.