Rose* first started attending the Meetse a Bophelo after school center in 2011. When we met her, she was merely skin and bones. She came to our center with no life in her eyes. She could barely stand to look a teacher in the eye or play with the children. 

Her mother had passed away from an AIDS related illness and she was living with the fear that she was going to suffer in the same way. Nutrition plays a huge role in everyone's health but is even more important with those living with HIV. 

Seeing Rose struggle to gain weight was hard to watch. She had been eating at home, but like many of our children her diet consisted mostly of pap and bread.

As soon as she started at our center, she began receiving a Nucleo nutritious drink in addition to well-balanced and healthy lunches. Due to the severity of her malnourishment, we also gave Nucleo to her grandmother so that she could drink it at home.

Within a few months, Rose managed to gain a few kgs. This continued to progress as the weeks and months went on. She proudly came to us one day, after finishing her Nucleo, and declared that she was now fat!

The change that took place through love and extra nutrition was remarkable to witness. Rose has now graduated our programme as she has entered into high school. She is healthy, happy and has a heart of thankfulness to God.

Rose is only one of the 30 children on Nucleo who has benefited greatly from the extra nourishment and vitamins. We are thankful for how the drink has helped our children regain health in many situations and also kept them from getting sick in the cold rainy months. 

*Name changed

If you are interested in providing Nucleo for a child in need please contact us.