Nutrition for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Khulekani* came to our After School Centre (Meetse a Bophelo) as a very young boy. He was bitter, angry, distant and a bully - his bullying behaviour had that meant he had to move around to many places. He was staying at an orphanage at the time, but now lives with his mother.

When he came to us he was not used to eating a balanced diet or getting good nutrition, he struggled with being overweight. We started monitoring the amount of food he was eating and giving him Nucleo. Now he has lost excess weight and is able to play with other kids and is even giving them advice not to fight. “When I grow up I love to help other people because I have seen how Meetse (a Bophelo) has helped me,” Khulekani said.

Another child, called Muntu*, started attending the After School Programme when he was very young and tiny. He hated salads and healthy food but today he is super excited about life, even though he is living with HIV. So Muntu, I ask: “Are you taking your medication every day?” He responded: “I can’t go a day without taking my medication, if I do”, he added, “I am subtracting a life for that day”. Muntu has now gained weight and grown a bit taller.

These stories and many more encourage us to continue helping and seeing transformation in the lives of the young people coming through our center. The nutritional boost of the Nucleo supplement makes it possible for us to continue the work we are doing, and see the children's health benefit.

Nucleo has played a big role in Muntu and Khulekani’s lives and helped them to attain and maintain a healthy weight.
* Names changed.