Hunger Defeated – RAH Donates Food for VUT

Londiwe Dube

Rise Against Hunger Africa (RAH) is a volunteer-based meal packaging and results oriented nutrition programme, which was started in South Africa in 2009. There are currently four full-time operations (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and East London). On 28 March 2019 the RAH donated food packages to the Vaal University of Technology students, who are less fortunate and those who are involved in events for Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s)

Students cannot focus on an empty stomach which is why the RAH has come to their rescue. Beneficiaries are mostly university students and children from Early Childhood Development Centres. ‘’Our main aim is to make Africa a hunger free continent and ensure that the goal is reached by 2030’’, said Mr Nizaam Mohamed, the Branch Development Manager in Gauteng. The packs consist of rice, soya and soup mix and extra vitamins. The purpose of choosing such meals is to promote healthy nutrition as these meals contains all four food groups. Feedback from institutions that benefit from this project has been positive since it started 10 years ago.

Distribution of food parcels is monitored by the office of the Director: Marketing & PR. This poverty alleviation project of the VUT is a partnership between Corporate Affairs and Student Support Services which started in 2015. VUT students appreciate the donation from RAH.

In closing Mr Mohamed said, ‘’ we would be grateful if the project can achieve its long-term goal and reach out to more students and communities’’.