For many Filipino families, caring for their precious children is a top priority and responsibility. However, not all are able to meet their kids’ needs. Aside from safe play and quality education, children from poor families are often bereft of basic essentials, the most overlooked of which is proper nourishment in their wonder years.
Without enough food, these children grow up vulnerable to diseases, hunger and malnourishment, and thus suffer impaired learning abilities in their school-age years and throughout adult life, according to studies.
Moved by this growing need to eradicate hunger and its adverse impacts, the City of Malabon led by City Mayor Antolin “Len” Oreta III and First Lady Chef Melissa Sison-Oreta, in cooperation with City Nutrition Office launched the “90-Day Feeding Program” implemented in October last year in four areas (Sityo 6, Int. Sanciangco, Pilapil and Gulayan) in Barangay Catmon. The pilot initiative involved 102 children aged 1 to 4 who have been identified and classified as underweight (77 kids) and severely underweight (25 kids) by the City Health Department.
Throughout the 90-day period, the children were provided nutritious meals and were taught proper hygiene practices by the Barangay Nutrition Scholars, a volunteer group composed of the city’s health workers, barangay leaders and volunteer-mothers.
The focus given to reduce early childhood hunger is understandable as a number of the city’s urban poor communities have kids who are underweight and stunted in height due to malnourishment. But with the combined efforts of the Malabon City government and its private partners, significant improvements were attained, with all beneficiaries successfully achieving their target weight gain outcomes.
Making a difference through better nutrition
One of mothers, Dyanna Apolinario, whose 29-month-old son John Brixel Amor was among the beneficiaries of the program, was brought to tears when she finally received the graduation certificate. Baby John was named the top weight gainer during the program’s recent graduation ceremony held at the Catmon Covered Court in December.
The other two most improved awardees are Kent Picao (37 months old) and Rejan Gemina Abanag (15 months old). Nineteen recipients were also awarded for their full attendance in the 90-day feeding program.
“Nagpapasalamat po talaga ako at nagkaroon ng ganitong programa sa aming barangay. Napakalaki ng naitulong nito sa kagaya naming kapos sa buhay. Ngayon po ay malusog, aktibo, at masayahin na ang aking anak. Excited na ako kasi mas handa na siya sa pagpasok nya sa school sa darating na pasukan,” she said.
Another heartwarming scene was witnessed as the children, with their mothers, gave roses and thank you letters to Chef Melissa who was deeply moved by their gesture. The graduation ended on a happy note with song and dance numbers performed by the kids, mothers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).
In addition to preparing and serving nutritious yet affordable meals, a greater strength of the health promotion advocacy is raising “informed” parents. Volunteers from the BNS have actively reinforced the program goals by educating mothers of the child-beneficiaries on proper nutrition, sanitation, proper food preparation and healthy budget-friendly recipes. To sustain the program, the nutritional status of the children is continuously monitored during and after the feeding program period.
“We’ve seen success in both measurable and immeasurable ways. For the kids, they have gained the age-appropriate ideal weight after graduation. But for the mothers, this means making better, healthier choices for themselves and what they can serve at the table for their families. As for all the individuals involved in the feeding program, from the volunteers to our kind-hearted donors, we are very touched, elated and inspired by the successful turnout: seeing these kids’ bright, smiling faces,” said Mayor Oreta, thanking her wife who conceptualized the feeding initiative as well as designed the program’s recipe and cooking techniques component.
At the heart of this inspiring advocacy is Malabon City’s pledge to enhance and deliver more child-friendly initiatives that will benefit the communities in need.
Rallying volunteerism
For Myrgie Mendoza, the opportunity to help gave her and her co-employees an almost magical moment. Mendoza is among the volunteers of Landbank of the Philippines-Malabon branch who gave out additional items to the beneficiaries during the culminating ceremony.
“It’s time that we share our blessings, to inspire and be actively involved in creating positive change in our society,” she said.
Other donors that helped make the program successful are the Rotary Club of Malabon, Robinsons Town Mall, LDRA Trading, CDO Foodsphere, Dr. Grace Francisco of Fransix Corp. and Arellano University.
While grateful as he commended the continued outpour of support from donors, Mayor Oreta said they will tap more partners as they need vast support from communities to continue the city’s planned feeding activities in Malabon. He revealed that they are targeting 300 kids and pregnant women in more vulnerable barangays like Tonsuya and Bayan-Bayanan starting this month.