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ZERO STUNTING BY 2030

The Grow Great Campaign seeks to galvanise South Africa towards achieving zero stunting by 2030.

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.

Read about our priority areas

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.

Find our infographic here

What are the first 1000 Days?

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.

FROM THE BLOG

Doing it for the children

When she started working at Seapole Clinic years ago, Nicolene Mohale had no idea that she would accomplish what she has so far. “I started volunteering as a DOTS [Directly Observed Treatment Short Course] supporter for five years. Our community’s clinic committee...

Grow Great releases 2021 Worcester Stunting Report

On 13 May 2021, Grow Great released the findings of a study conducted with Stellenbosch on the nutritional status of children under five in Worcester, Breede Valley (Western Cape). The study set out to respond to two objectives: to describe the prevalence of stunting...

2021 Grow Great Journalist of the Year submissions now open

Grow Great, a campaign with the aim to galvanise South Africa towards a national commitment to achieving zero stunting by 2030, is calling for submissions for its annual Grow Great journalist of the year awards. The competition that is now running for the third year...

PARENTS

Using a social franchise model Flourish, a programme of the Grow Great Campaign, provides access to mom & baby classes that support, celebrate and empower pregnant & new mothers through the critical first 1000 days of a child’s life.

PRACTITIONERS

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are community leaders and heroes. What’s more, developing countries that have achieved significant reductions in stunting credit much of their success to CHWs.