Isisa Siqala Ekhaya ‘charity begins at home’   UCT-Social Development Food Security Outreach Programme (FOSOP)

Introduction

Social Development Practitioners are trained to understand and address situations and forces that impact on people’s well-being. Similarly, social workers are trained to be dynamic professionals who are ready to promote social change and foster problem-solving, empowerment and the liberation of people to enhance their well-being. As such they are expected to intervene at the points where people interact with their environments. Both the fields of Social Work and Social Development focus on enhancing people’s well-being and the quality of life of individuals, families, groups and communities. Students that acquire such critical tools of enhancing people’s well-being and their quality of life constitute the cadre of students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) who are studying various degrees. These students come from different socio-economic backgrounds. It is important to note that many students at an affluent university such as UCT come from very poor backgrounds. A good number of these students face challenges of food insecurity and hunger as they strive to finish their studies. Students who are pursuing their studies in social work and social development also face similar challenges.

For these students to concentrate in class, they must eat. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many students in the Department of Social Development experience food insecurity and hunger. Many have not had any recourse to food aid and thus come to class hungry. This is because not all students can afford a meal every day and lack of food makes it hard for them to be alert, concentrate in class and participate in all educational activities. It due to this reason that the Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Stepping Stones – a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) have founded the Department of Social Development Food Security Outreach Programme (FOSOP) to reduce food insecurity among the student population. FOSOP is running as a pilot programme within the Social Development Department until 31^st December 2018.

Vision

Being a preferred programme that provides a food secure environment and promotes a participatory educational environment.

Objectives

• To contribute to the reduction of food insecurity amongst social work and social development students.
• To help senior students cultivate a spirit of volunteerism.
• To promote a healthy eating life style amongst the students.
• To partner with other organisations that aim at reducing hunger in tertiary education institutions and promote people’s well-being.

Intended Impact

• The programme intends to reach 500 students by 31 December 2018.
• To have improved food security for 500 students and improve their well-being by 31 December 2018.
• To have promoted social inclusion among students during the course of 2018.
• To have shown senior students that “charity begins at home” (charity begins at the department where they receive training to care for others).
• To have provided an opportunity for 12 senior students to serve others voluntarily as they gain special skills and experience that they can use later in their professional lives.

Contact: Dr Chance Chagunda                   chance.chagunda@uct.ac.za

Work Phone Number:                                  0216504054

Timetable and list of volunteers                   

Day  àTime	Monday	Tuesday	Thursday	Friday
11:00- 12:00 prep.	Vimbai Denzil Rumbidzai	Keratiloe Denzil	Helen Lizanne Asnath	Lizanne Accuracy Nomxolisi
12:00-13:00 prep. & serve	Rumbidzai Vimbai	Lizanne Keratiloe Mpho	Lizanne Asnath Mpho	Helen Lizanne Mpho
13:00-14:00 serve & clean up		Lizanne Layandza Mpho	Asnath Mpho	Helen Mpho