No matter whether it’s the first day of Grade One, or if your child is returning to school for another year, it’s important they’re given everything they need to perform at their best.
This starts with making time for breakfast, a reality that a large percentage of school learners are unable to have.
In South Africa, almost one in five children goes to school on an empty stomach, impacting not only on their health but on their studies too.
In order to give many of these children the fuel they need to make the most of every day, the Kellogg’s Breakfasts for Better Days™ (BFBD) initiative, is making sure that 26 000 children have full tummies every day before school.
Since 2014, Breakfasts for Better Days™ has worked alongside the Department of Basic Education to create a community-driven hunger relief programme.
The initiative now ensures that 46 schools across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape have access to a breakfast of cereal and milk, every school day.
With over 13 million servings of cereal and full cream milk served to date, the programme is giving children the hope and encouragement they need to learn.
As a result of this, participating schools subsequently reported an increase not only in attendance, but also in concentration.
They also noted that there was less aggressive behaviour from the students; and that pass rates in the schools improved dramatically.
Despite education being a basic human right, many children are still not given the chance to develop to their full potential.
That is why Kellogg’s has made a global commitment to feed three billion children by 2025.
“We want to make sure there is enough food for everyone, so that children can flourish.
“We know this is more than giving them cereal and milk each day – it’s about fuelling their bodies and their minds, to allow them to become the next generation of future leaders.
“Together with our global company, we’re committed to providing children with the nutrients and vitamins they need to do their best,” said Vuyokazi Xapa, corporate communications manager of Breakfasts for Better Days.
- Why is breakfast so important for children?
It’s been labelled as the most important meal of the day, but this is especially true for our future leaders.
Children who don’t eat breakfast, are at a disadvantage before the first lesson begins.
By missing their morning meal, learners may experience poor concentration, low energy levels and moodiness.
As a result of initiatives like Breakfasts for Better Days, children across the country are seeing improvements to their memory, which in turn results in stronger retention of information when learning.
- Brain food at breakfast?
According to BFBD dietician, Cheryl Meyer, it’s not just the consumption of breakfast that’s important.
“Over and above a child simply consuming breakfast, the nature of the ingredients that they consume after a night of fasting, should be equally considered.
“By providing your child with breakfast that contains high fibre carbohydrates and protein, you can ensure that they have sustained energy for optimum classroom performance,” said Meyer.
- The results speak for themselves?
Principals and teachers from those schools that have participated in the Kellogg’s Breakfasts for Better Days™ initiative, have praised the very real impact a regular daily breakfast has had on their learners.
Many reported a positive physical and academic change, including improved concentration and overall marks.
In addition, the participating schools also reported improved attendance, thanks to children now waiting in line ready for breakfast.
- The bigger picture?
Despite the vast improvements Breakfasts for Better Days™ has made to overall learning, for some children, the only meal they’ll eat will be the one the initiative is providing.
Although over 390 000kg of cereal and 1 300 000 litres of milk has been donated to date, Breakfasts for Better Days™ is still continuing to drive its commitment: to making a tangible difference to the future leaders of South Africa.
To find out more about how Breakfasts for Better Days™ is helping to fill tummies across the country, visit the website: www.kellogg.com, or Facebook www.facebook.com/KelloggsSA, or follow them on Twitter @KelloggsZA.
