Enriching the Lives and Well-being of Communities
Posted By: Transnet Foundation
24.04.2014
Community-based and non-profit organisations play a crucial role in uplifting impoverished communities, where the majority of people don’t have the means to help themselves. By providing much needed care and services, they help empower people to live productive, healthy and fulfilling lives. They also offer hope for a bright future when prospects are dim.
Community-based and non-profit organisations play a crucial role in uplifting impoverished communities, where the majority of people don’t have the means to help themselves. By providing much needed care and services, they help empower people to live productive, healthy and fulfilling lives. They also offer hope for a bright future when prospects are dim.
The Transnet Foundation, which is the driving force behind Transnet’s community assistance initiatives, spends close to R160 million per year on community projects and non – commercial sponsorships.
As part of our efforts to fight food poverty, the Transnet Foundation will today, 23 April 2014 launch a food garden project (which includes training) in the area of Ximungwe Ireagh in Mpumalanga. The programme aims to tackle hunger and poverty issues on three fronts; food distribution, income support and nutrition education – all guided by research.
Beyond the garden and as part of the outreach programme, the Transnet Foundation will undertake activities to meet the following objectives:
- To improve availability and accessibility of sustainably produced nutritious food by promoting the local production and distribution of healthy food.
- To build evidence-based knowledge by conducting research on the intersection of food, nutrition and community subsistence agriculture.
- To raise public awareness, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and stimulate social change through training and raising awareness.
- To improve the sustainability and healthfulness of the built environment by offering high quality customized container infrastructure to meet varied community infrastructure needs through the Transnet Container Assistance Programme.
Transnet Foundation aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the community and its residents so that it may become more resilient.
Cynthia Mgijima, the Head of the Transnet Foundation says “Agricultural production and productivity growth remain essential for better nutrition, but more can be done towards the alleviation of indigent families and the community as a whole. Community gardens are a fantastic way to promote healthy eating, build community awareness and to educate adults and children alike about agricultural and environmental stewardship.” Not only will it provide information on how to create and maintain one’s own garden, but it will also offer ideas on expanding access to healthy, affordable food options.
The food garden training and planting, will take place on the 23 April 2014 at 10:00 am at the Ireagh Ximungwe Transnet Community Centre. For more information, please contact Transnet Foundation’s Senior Manager: Communications and Special Projects, Sibusiso Ngomane on (011) 308 2457.