The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Ms Shannon Pillay, an Advanced Diploma student in the Department of Food and Nutrition baked some delicious muffins from Monday, 12th June 2023 to Wednesday, 14thJune 2023 for DUT students who were writing exams and who formed part of the Phakimpilo programme.
The Phakimpilo programme (food programme) is housed within DUT’s Student Counselling and Health, it is a two-month interim programme for students who are facing challenges in providing themselves with food during their time of study at the University.
According to Ms Pillay, the provision of meals in June 2023, was aimed at supporting students during their exams. While she prepared for her exams, she also thought she should contribute to the Phakampilo three day exam drive.
“I decided to bake muffins which I had supplied to Student Counselling. Since last Monday, I dropped off 100 home baked bran muffins and 44 pears for distribution to students who were in need,” said Ms Pillay.
She further added that she wanted to provide students with a healthy breakfast meal option or snack to sustain them during their study sessions or during their exams.
Home baked muffins and pears which were distributed to students who formed part of the Phakimpilo programme.
“I decided to prepare and package bran muffins along with a fruit (pear) that may aid in sustaining hunger for a period of time,” she said.
For Ms Pillay, community engagement is something close to her heart and she considers herself as a compassionate individual who always looks for ways to help bring change. She also became involved in the Adopt-A-Child for the School Shoe Drive, earlier this year, donating 27 pairs of school shoes.
“As an engaged university, we have the responsibility to be active citizens that respond to the needs of society. Using one of the DUT principles, ‘compassion’, as a guide, I thought it was a good idea to become involved in the call to changing the lives and the livelihoods of these young people, like myself,” stressed Ms Pillay.
DUT’s Senior Psychologist, Dr Candice Leith from Student Counselling, explained further on the initiative, indicating that there is a screening process in place for students who wish to apply to be on the Phakimpilo programme.
“We have partnered with a local shop and distribute vouchers to the students who qualify to purchase food,” she said.
DUT’s Dr Naseem Hanif from Student Counselling welcomed the sponsorship saying that this initiative by Ms Pillay, to bring food for students, forms part of DUT’s Phakimpilo programme to ensure students have something to eat before they write their examinations. She thanked Ms Pillay for doing this out of her own free will and assisting the DUT community.
Pictured: Ms Shannon Pillay makes time to bake muffins for students who were writing exams.
Waheeda Peters
