In South Africa, millions of children are food-vulnerable and rely on schools to provide one daily nutritious meal. ‘Hidden hunger’ is a term used to describe human deficiencies of key micronutrients. It’s a real, invisible crisis and the impact starts early with children consuming energy-dense, but nutrient-poor diets. This impacts both physical and cognitive development.
Environ are powerful advocates of skin health and nutrition and has teamed up with Bongiwe Msomi, South Africa’s National netball team captain to launch the EnvironCares Feeding Programme for 2023/24. They aim to raise awareness around the impact of nutrient deficiencies in early childhood development.
About ENVIRONCARES Feeding Programme
Environ is fully funding the distribution of 210,000 nutritious school breakfast meals through 32 GROW Early Childhood Development (ECD) Partner Centres situated in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. 1500 children will receive a fortified nutrient-rich porridge meal, packed with essential vitamins and minerals, five days a week.
Environ’s appointment of Bongiwe Msomi as the official ambassador for the EnvironCares Feeding Programme aims to leverage her inspiring influence and passion for childhood development to strengthen and bring awareness to the cause.
The vision of Val Carstens, ENVIRON’S Chairman and Director
The EnvironCares Feeding Programme was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the foresight and passion of Val Carstens to make a real, positive impact in children's lives.
“Environ has spent more than 30 years researching the science of skin and the nutrition it needs to be healthy-looking, functioning optimally and ultimately beautiful for a lifetime. We recognize the role of replenishing essential vitamins to correct damaging deficiencies. This same parallel exists when it comes to early childhood development. Essential nutrition is important for children to be able to grow, learn and perform at their best. I’m delighted to continue the EnvironCares Feeding Programme this year and help address the very prevalent issue of ‘hidden hunger’,” Val Carstens.
Bongiswe Msomi: “Life is only meaningful when knowledge is passed on to help others grow”
“It’s an honour to support the EnvironCares Feeding Programme and shine a light on critical aspects of early childhood development. This is particularly close to my heart. Interacting with some of the children in person, spending playtime with them and watching them enjoy their delicious porridge at school has been incredibly special for me,” says Bongi Msomi.
About Environ Skin Care
Environ Skin Care is a globally recognized and loved professional skincare brand that is built on science, beauty and care. Since 1990, Environ has used the science of beauty to change the way the world sees skincare.
The introduction of vitamin A to skincare formulations was a ground-breaking development, first successfully included in cosmetic products by top plastic surgeon, skincare pioneer and Environ founder Dr Des Fernandes. His sister, Val Carstens, Environ’s Chairman and Director, has built the brand from a dream to a global success. Today the brand has over 140 products in more than 70 countries.
Environ has received over 100 international awards which have recognized the brand for its outstanding products, most recently being voted Top Medical Skincare Line of the Decade in the highly revered Aesthetic Everything® Aesthetic and Cosmetic Medicine Awards. Environ is favored by international skincare therapists, the medical fraternity, beauty editors, aestheticians, and film stars.
About Grow early childhood development
GROW Early Childhood Development is a non-profit social enterprise that uses the principles of franchising to establish excellent, high-quality Early Childhood Development Centres in developing communities that are also financially sustainable businesses.
GROW is a social enterprise setting a new standard for Early Learning in developing countries that unlocks human potential.
