Cheesekids for Humanity News

Never too young to make a difference.

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One boy has shown that the youth can make a difference and he has been honoured for his efforts with a prestigious award.

12-year-old Jordan van der Walt, has become the youngest person to receive an Inyathelo Philanthropy award for the Just One Bag initiative he began which has to date fed more than a million needy children.

The sixth annual Inyathelo Philanthropy awards took place at The Campus in Bryanston on 30 October.

Inyathelo, The South African Institute for Advancement, initiated the awards in 2007 to acknowledge those who have committed their personal resources towards broader social development in South Africa.

Jordan's mother, Lynn van der Walt, said it was a complete surprise. She said Inyathelo called the school to request that they nominate Jordan. Since being featured in the article Never too young to make a difference, week ending 26 August 2011, Jordan has been hard at work promoting the campaign across the country.

It began with a simple idea, when his school had a civvies day for which pupils had to bring easter eggs for underprivileged children. He said easter eggs wouldn't fill their bellies and suggested to his principal that pupils bring mielie meal instead, and the Just One Bag campaign was born.

Jordan has also shown an interest in conservation and has had a manta ray named after him after raising funds for the Marine Megafauna Foundation, based in Mozambique. To children who want to help others, Jordan said, "Your ideas are never too small, approach an adult and tell them about your idea."

Lynn said that Jordan could not do it alone and to achieve his goal of preventing underprivileged children from going hungry he would need the support of the nation.

Find the Just One Bag facebook page here

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