The Full Tummy Fund – a vehicle for enabling early childhood development (ECD) and nutritional programmes amongst children from disadvantaged communities up to the age of six was launched recently. The fund is run by the Spur Foundation, which aims to uplift and improve the lives of South African families and children in particular.

Ronel van Dijk, Chief Financial Officer at Spur Corporation and Chair of the Spur Foundation Trust, says: “Investing in ECD is known to be one of the most effective means of eradicating poverty. Currently, the ECD sector faces significant challenges, such as a limited number of well-trained staff, insufficient instruction programmes, infrastructure and facility gaps and a lack of funding. In addition, poor nutrition impacts children’s ability to learn and grow. Through beneficiaries such as the ASHA Trust, Ikamva Labantu and JAM SA, the Full Tummy fund is able to address these issues and empower children – ensuring that the essential building blocks for brain and body development are laid.”

Funding from the Full Tummy Fund enables the ASHA Trust to develop and facilitate ECD training programmes for under-skilled practitioners and owners of home-based crèches – equipping them with the necessary skills to provide a stimulating educational environment and meet the nutritional needs of the children in their care.

The Full Tummy Fund assists Ikamva Labantu to make a difference in the lives of 17 000 babies, toddlers and children, through its ECD training programmes. To date, 236 principals have been through the organisation’s Principals Training Programme and 270 practitioners have been through its Early Childhood Development Experiential Training Programme.

Every school day, JAM SA feeds over 84 000 children in seven provinces around the country. With help from the Full Tummy Fund and funding provided in 2016, JAM have been able to establish a feeding scheme in the Free State.

During December 2016, brands within Spur Corporation – Spur Steak Ranches, Panarottis Pizza Pasta and John Dory’s Fish, Grill, Sushi – will be selling Kung Fu Panda puppets at R40 each, with R5 from every sale being donated to the Full Tummy Fund.

“So if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a young one this Christmas, here’s a gift that gives twice. By buying a collectible Kung Fu Panda puppet you’ll not only have the perfect stocking-filler, but will be helping the Full Tummy Fund establish a stronger educational foundation upon which a healthier, more prosperous and better society can be built. Help us to fill tummies, feed minds and shape the country’s future by buying a puppet at one of our restaurants nationwide,” concludes van Dijk.

For more information, visit http://fulltummyfund.co.za.