THE Valley Trust has called on the support of the Highway community as the non-profit organisation is in need of children’s toys, books and clothing for the children under its care.
The organisation’s flagship programme, Khula Kahle Mntwana Programme (Grow Well, Child), empowers more than 1 000 caregivers in The Valley of 1 000 Hills to better care for their young children. The programme targets children and caregivers in their homes and seeks to adopt a holistic view to meeting the development needs of young children.
“We impact 1 700 children through education, teaching about health and parenting, assisting with vegetable gardens and financial savings as well as providing psychosocial support,” said the organisation’s business development specialist, Pippa Whittle.
The Khula Kahle Mntwana Programme, also known as the Promotion of Child Health and Development Programme, was also launched to address findings by the University of KwaZulu-Natal that many young children in The Valley of 1,000 Hills were physically and cognitively stunted when compared with other children their age.
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“This was found to be caused by a deficiency of micronutrients in the children’s diets. The primary caregivers or guardians of the children were found to suffer high levels of mental distress including anxiety and depression,” said Whittle. “Although we have a toy library, where our facilitators access educational material, our current drive seeks to give each household we work with their own set of toys.”
Alternatively, residents can donate plants or décor items that can be used in its on-site fundraising campaigns. Contact 031 716 6800, email info@vtrust.org.za or visit its website at www.thevalleytrust.org.za or like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thevalleytrustkwanyuswa
Donated goods can be dropped off at the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust’s Ubuntu Ground Café from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 2pm.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
