Good nutrition is the foundation of life, millions of children globally under five still lack the nourishment to grow, learn, and thrive.
GNI is supporting Thrive for Five, a South African collaborative solution uniting trusted partners to deliver targeted nutrition for children aged 6-59 months through Early Childhood Development Centers (ECD).
Every contribution drives measurable impact, helping children access the nutritious meals they need to learn, grow, and build stronger, more resilient futures.
When expertise comes together, change multiplies.
Our global, multi-sector partnership combines innovation, science, and community action to deliver real, measurable impactfor children.
COLLECTIVE ACTION, AMPLIFIED IMPACT
Lesedi Nkwe, a two yearold from Lanseria, began life at a disadvantage due to low birth weight and limited access to nutritious food. He had little appetite, struggled with crucial milestones such as crawling and walking, and his energy was extremely low. In early 2022, a local clinic recommended onboarding Lesedi to the Thrive for Five and the change was remarkable. Within just a few weeks, Lesedi gained weight, developed a healthy appetite, and began walking with confidence. Today, he runs, plays soccer, and interacts with those around him with joy and curiosity. “He never wants to stop playing, he has become talkative and full of energy,” says his mother. Thrive for Five gave Lesedi more than nutrition, it helped unlock his potential and brought new hope for his future.
In Soweto, one of South Africa’s largest townships, food insecurity remains a daily challenge for many families. Five year old Mbali Phomololives in a household where unemployment and financial hardship often meant going hungry, impacting her growth and wellbeing. She was referred to a community care programme and began receiving Thrive for Five meals in March 2021. Before joining the programme, Mbali was quiet, withdrawn, and underweight. But just two months after receiving daily nutritional support, her caregivers noticed positive changes, she became more energetic, engaged more with other children, and began participating actively in daily activities. Thrive for Five now supports children like Mbali across Johannesburg, helping them rebuild strength, resilience, and the confidence to grow into healthy, thriving young individuals.
Phila, a young boy from a small town in the Western Cape, joined the Thrive for Five programme in September 2021 at his local Early Childhood Development Centre. Raised by his grandmother, who is his primary caregiver, he struggled with appetite, energy, and was very thin. When she noticed he held game cards close to his face to see them clearly, she sought help — leading to an eye assessment and sponsored glasses that transformed his ability to learn and play. Through Thrive for Five, Phila also gained access to daily nutritional support, helping improve his appetite, energy levels, and overall development. Today, he engages more, learns better, and is preparing confidently for pre-school — with clearer vision and renewed strength.
THRIVEFORFIVE brings together key industry stakeholders to create impactful returns through strategicpartnerships. This meticulously designed program is dedicated to fostering the optimal physical and cognitivegrowth of underprivileged children aged 06 – 59 months. Employing a targeted developmental approach,THRIVEFORFIVE aims to maximise the long-term benefits of your donation, ensuring a lasting positive impact.
GNI raises the funds, builds partnerships, and ensures full transparency by reporting measurable outcomes to donors.
On the ground, Headstart Kids manages relationships with ECD centers, oversees daily food distribution, and tracks children’s progress through ongoing measurements.
Lamelle Pharmaceuticals strengthens health foundations by providing deworming tablets at the start and mid-point of the program,ensuring children can absorb essential nutrients.
dsm-firmenich fortifies meals with life-sustaining micronutrients tailored to children’s exact growth needs.
Fortifit produces nutritious, ready-to-serve meals, multiple balanced servings a day, that meet the dietary requirements of growing children.
Nucleus SCM ensures seamless logistics and distribution, getting every meal and health intervention safely to where it’s needed most.
We help achieve Sustainable Developments Goals
You will be able to observe the outcomes of your investment in a child’s journey after 1 year
We have evidence based outcomes
Our programme and operations are fully transparent
In a cohort of 617 pre-school children, wasting was reduced by 46% within the first 3 months of programme implementation. After 8 months on the programme, stunting was reduced by 35% and underweight by 71%.
No child should lose their future to hunger. Yet today, 2.8 million little ones are growing up without the nutrition they need to thrive.
Imagine a future where 150,000 children wake up each day energized and ready to learn — because a reliable, nutritious meal is waiting for them.
Your support will help us nourish potential, restore dignity, and create a brighter tomorrowfor South Africa’s children.
