A group of Consumer Science students recently shared their extensive food knowledge with a group of vulnerable youth from Philippi.
The CPUT students visited the Baphumelele: Fountain of Hope youth residential home for those who have left orphanages and foster homes but have nowhere to go.
The 36 second year students used their first visit to explain the South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines and their second visit to demonstrate an easy meal based on the availability of food items at the organisation.
14 youth stay at Baphumelele: Fountain of Hope, which can house up to 20, and is in the process of expanding. They go through a year-long Independent Living Programme meant to impart life skills such as how to manage a budget, clean their personal spaces and how to make their own food.
With that in mind the Consumer Science Students explained the importance of nutrition by talking about the different kinds of foodstuff that is healthy to eat, demonstrated exercises and offered examples of the food they were discussing.
The youth really warmed to the students at the second visit when they demonstrated recipes and allowed the youngsters to sample the cooked dishes. They then had tea together for an opportunity to get to know one another better.
The CPUT students also used money they raised from staff and fellow students to put together toiletry and food hampers for the residents.
Consumer Science lecturer Theloshni Govender said the Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science has been working on their relationships with Baphumelele: Fountain of Hope since 2017.
“The organisation is a perfect opportunity for students to engage and positively influence the youth in this community. The organisation plants their own vegetable and I saw this platform as an ideal project for the students to apply their nutrition knowledge,” said Govender.
She pointed out the CPUT students developed and enhanced their communication, collaboration and leadership skills and the visit gave them a chance to learn more about a field that might interest them.
“It also gives them a better understanding of their academics. They are able to apply the knowledge they have learned and they are able to remember it,” said Govender.
Written by Theresa Smith
