In the rural communities of Sutherland, Matjiesfontein, and Laingsburg, Roggeveld Wind Farm is not only driving winds of change through the delivery of clean energy, but also in the quality of life of its residents. To support this from the earliest stage possible, childhood, the Grow Great Flourish First 1000 Days Initiative was born.
The three-year programme, established in partnership with Grow Great and the DG Murray Trust, focuses on a child’s most critical development period, from conception to age two, addressing the possibility of stunting by improving maternal and infant health and well-being.
Launched in 2023, the initiative provides antenatal and postnatal classes led by trained local facilitators, creating trusted spaces for women to gain vital knowledge in nutrition, health, and responsive caregiving. The programme also fosters peer support networks that strengthen maternal mental health and social connectedness.
To date, 75 mothers have participated in the initiative, with an impressive 81% of them completing six or more sessions. As a result of the programme, knowledge about breastfeeding has risen from 57% to 97%, there has been a 30-point drop in alcohol use during pregnancy, and there have been marked improvements in the understanding of self-care and nurturing practices.
True to the mission of effecting lasting, meaningful change, the programme aligns closely with three UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
By addressing early childhood stunting and empowering women, Roggeveld Wind Farm is investing in long-term community resilience. Through its focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, the initiative is not just changing lives, it is shaping futures.
