GROW GREATNESS
The Grow Great Campaign seeks to galvanise South Africa towards achieving zero stunting by 2030.
Using data to mobilise policy makers, stories to inspire the public, communities of practice to support Community Health Workers and mom & baby classes to support parents, the Grow Great campaign seeks to galvanise South Africa towards a future where no child is unjustly denied the opportunity to reach their full potential.
WHAT IS STUNTING?
Stunting is a condition that arises from prolonged under-nutrition and it affects physical and brain development. It’s defined as shortness in height for a child’s age and it can only be diagnosed by comparing the child’s measurements to standardized growth charts.
The first 1000 days of a child’s life (i.e. from conception to age two) is an opportunity to establish a foundation for children’s academic success, health and general well-being. However, it is also a period of vulnerability to stunting.
Why are we concerned about stunting?
1 in 4 of South Africa’s children under the age of five years old are stunted. Stunting robs young children from reaching their full potential. Stunted children on average perform worse at school than their non-stunted counterparts, are more likely to be unemployed as adults, are at higher risk of getting diseases like diabetes and hypertension and are vulnerable to being trapped in inter-generational cycles of poverty. This is unjust as stunting is completely preventable.
What prevents stunting?
The first 1000 days of life are a key time for development and growth. Mothers and babies need good nutritious food, high quality healthcare and clean & healthy environments to flourish and grow great.
PARENTS
PRACTITIONERS
PUBLIC
POLICY MAKERS
FROM THE BLOG
‘GGC awards brought us together’
*This article is from our 2020 edition of our On The Field CHW magazine and has been slightly edited. When asked what he planned to do with the prizes he won, which included cash and a scale, Nkomazi’s top-performing Community Health Worker (CHW), Nhlanhla...
Youth is key to growing great communities
*This article is from our 2020 edition of our On The Field CHW magazine and has been edited for brevity. Zeph Maseko, the team leader of four Grow Great Champions (GGC) clubs in the Nkomazi area, believes that age played an important role in the success of his clubs....
Going the extra mile pays off
“My shift ends at half past four but sometimes I work until six o’clock and I don’t mind. I’m always willing to work much longer,” said Tintswalo Gladys Mabunda from Nkomo Village in Giyani. It is this dedication that saw Mabunda crowned Giyani’s top Community Health...
Become a grow Great champion
