"Harvest Aid helps me sleep at night because I know my children will not go to bed hungry," said a mother of four about the aid she receives. Hers is one of many families that receive almost all their food through the Harvest Aid Child Sponsorship programme. Harvest Aid has been feeding orphaned and vulnerable children since 2002 and has helped thousands of children receive balanced nutrition and stay in school.
"Partnering with Harvest Aid makes a lot of sense," the corporate social investment manager of a company said recently. "They have a great track record and we get a lot of feedback, so we know what is happening with the money we give. It is great knowing that they will still be around next year and that we can develop a long term relationship with them."
Harvest Aid feed children, keep them in school, provide support to the caregivers of child-led families and provide almost anything a child could need and which they can source from their partners, food, clothing, shoes, school supplies, blankets, cooking equipment etc. "Our goal is to normalise lives of these children, not just help them survive", says founder and chief executive officer Steven (Fanie) Loots. Loots says that they would rather be involved with less kids and do more for them than just give a plate of food every now and then.
Harvest Aid has developed several social development projects and recently enterprise development projects to help the poorest of families cope and eventually thrive. Self-sufficiency is the goal.
"Harvest Aid is set on being transparent, accountable and effective," Loots continued. "Our projects are sustainable, measurable and systematic. We have a good record of accountability and reporting to donors. Our books are audited and we are BEE compliant."
Harvest Aid has also created poverty awareness and mobilisation through its ‘Charity Ambassador©’ programme at schools. Children are encouraged to form charity clubs and to undertake research about poverty. They also get involved in charities and social projects. Each school chooses a ‘Charity Ambassador of the Year’ who enters the Harvest Aid National competition to choose the ‘Ambassador of the Year’. Exposing learners to real needs and then teaching them how to become effective in addressing poverty and by encouraging social entrepreneurship. Harvest Aid is developing a whole new generation of caring, active and involved children.
Harvest Aid offers companies the opportunity for staff involvement in practical projects through fundraising and service. For example, Nedbank, Business Banking Gauteng North has participated in a packing event in 2012, where 10 000 meals were packed. Muvoni Technology Group donated R25 000 to make the event possible. A few other companies are running bucket projects, where staff collects non-perishable food for the families in care of Harvest Aid. Grinaker LTA redid the wiring on 'the Farm' where Harvest Aid produces fresh vegetables for children, while many companies have held special parties or daytrips for the children.
To view Harvest Aid in the Prodder NGO Directory, click here.
