Hunger vs health: how Durban children's homes innovate despite frozen subsidies

LOCAL children's homes are implementing innovative solutions like food gardens to ensure nutritious meals for their residents, as government subsidies remain unchanged for six years despite rising food costs.

These homes are stretching limited resources to meet children's dietary needs

The homes rely on government subsidies, which have not increased in the past six years. They said they were buckling under the financial demands to ensure that each child in their care received the required nutritious meals.

To help sustain themselves and provide nutritious food to children in their care, the Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH) Children’s Home, in Chatsworth, has started a food garden to the supplement meals.

The home accommodates 102 children ranging from ages three to 17 years old.

Amraj Dursan, spokesperson for the home, said they were “constantly exploring creative ways to ensure our children receive nutritious meals despite financial constraints”. 

He said one approach was creating a food garden, where they grew fresh produce to supplement the children’s meals. 

“We have also engaged with volunteer groups who regularly visit the children’s home to provide training and education to the staff and the children to support and maintain the food gardens.

“The children's diet at ABH focuses on balanced, nutritious meals tailored to their age and health needs. Menus are planned with dietitians to ensure nutritional requirements are met.

“Regarding food costs, we have faced challenges due to rising prices. To mitigate this, we have implemented cost-effective strategies like our food garden and community partnerships, allowing us to maintain meal quality despite financial constraints. We have also partnered with local communities and businesses for support, whether through donations or discounted supplies. These efforts help us stretch resources and prioritise the well-being of the children,” he said.

At the St Monica’s Children's Home in Bluff, staff go beyond the call of duty to ensure they host enough fundraising initiatives to ensure that the 84 children in their care have access to nutritious food.

The home’s director, Althea Govender, said: “It is challenging to provide nutritious breakfasts, school lunches, lunch when they return, a snack and supper daily. The greatest challenge has been that the children's subsidy allocated by the government has not increased in six years, with the last increase being in 2019 .

“We acknowledge and salute our corporate donors, individuals and organisations such as KFC for their unwavering support of perishables and unperishable items. Many people do not know that when they donate R2 for the Add Hope campaign at KFC when they buy a meal, it benefits children in need.

“But this is not enough. It is extremely challenging as we are faced with the rising costs of food each month. Our children's meals, which have been approved by a registered dietician, are not compromised in any way and we strive to provide balanced meals to them,” she added.

Govender said they called on the government to support the Department of Social Development to assist struggling children’s organisations.

“They must work together and play their part in ensuring that we receive adequate compensation to care for the vulnerable children of our society. Simply saying there are no funds for six years is inexcusable and unacceptable,” she said.

THE POST