By THABO MOTLHABI
Soweto man turns his home into a morning lifeline for hungry schoolchildren.
You don’t have to be rich to change a child’s life. You just need a willing heart, a bowl of cereal and the courage to do something when others are only talking.
Every morning, before the school bells ring across Soweto, hungry children make their way to Lepelaar Street. They come with empty stomachs.
But they leave with breakfast — and, perhaps more importantly, the strength to face another day at school. This is the powerful work being driven by African Child at Work, an NPO founded and directed by Thabiso Masigo, who has opened his doors to children from vulnerable families in his community.
While some children wake up to breakfast before heading to school, others wake up knowing there may be little or nothing to eat. Masigo refuses to accept that hunger should determine how a child performs in the classroom.
His initiative provides learners with cereal and a cup of soup every morning, giving them the basic nourishment they need to concentrate, participate and learn.
“Our aim is to provide this cereal and a cup of soup in the morning for learners from vulnerable families to support them in their academic journey. This nutritious breakfast would help with their level of concentration and confidence,” Masigo said.
But behind every bowl served is a painful reality. Masigo said some children come from families battling serious financial challenges, leaving them dependent on school feeding schemes for meals.
“Some of the children only eat through the school’s feeding schemes due to family challenges and financial burden, and that also affects their academic performance,” he said.
“This breakfast of cereal and a cup of soup helps us with energy and concentration at school. One can’t focus on an empty stomach, but having a nutritious breakfast helps sharpen your mind and body,” Mokoena said.
And that is the heart of Masigo’s mission. No grand speeches. No promises of millions. Just one community member deciding that children should not have to choose between hunger and education.
You don’t have to be rich to make a difference. You just have to care enough to start.
