HERD - Community Development Project

We are happy to share feedback with you on our long-running community project with Jameyana Primary School in Acornhoek, close to us at HERD.

We celebrated World Food Day on 16 October, and we took a moment to reflect, not only on the global challenge of hunger and malnutrition, but also on the power of small, consistent actions to spark lasting change. For the past four years, HERD Trust and Jabulani Safari, alongside our committed partners and donors, have walked a remarkable journey with Jameyana Primary School. One of growth, nourishment, and hope.

A Mission That Grew Beyond Meals

What began as a mission to address early childhood malnutrition has evolved into a deeper commitment to education, well-being, and long-term opportunity. By providing Nkosi Bar meals to Grade R and Grade 1 learners, we were not just filling empty stomachs; we were helping young minds to focus, grow stronger, and thrive in the classroom and beyond.

When we nourish a child, we invest in their future.

Impact in Numbers

• January 2022 – December 2024:

 78,800 Nkosi Bar meals were provided to learners.

• This year, January – October 2025:

 An additional 21,500 Nkosi Bar meals were delivered by the HERD Team to:

 o 198 Grade R learners

 o 168 Grade 1 learners

Each child receives an Nkosi Bar three times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Tracking Growth and Health

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Nkosi Bar programme and monitor signs of malnutrition, learners’ height, weight, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference were measured in February 2025.

We look forward to a second round of measurements towards the end of the year, conducted in partnership with the Wellspring NPO Team. These stats will give us valuable insight into the children’s health and development while on the Nkosi Bar Programme, and we are excited to see the continued positive impact.

Visible Change in the Classroom

Teachers at Jameyana Primary have reported encouraging signs and improved focus, higher energy levels, and better classroom engagement, especially among the Grade R learners who are just beginning their education journey.

These observations echo what we already know: proper nutrition is foundational to a child’s ability to learn and grow.

Beyond Nutrition: Inspiring Young Conservationists

Through the Nkosi Bar Programme, we also introduce the children to conservation education and HERD’s Stop Snaring Campaign, helping to foster a lifelong respect for wildlife and the environment. While elephants remain central to HERD’s mission, we know that protecting them starts with protecting our communities.

Educated, empowered children become the next generation of conservationists and changemakers.

We appreciate your ongoing support of our community school initiatives. Together, we are helping to nurture the next generation of conservation custodians, building strong learners who will contribute to a brighter future.

Kind regards,

The HERD Team