MARAVILLA, POTOTAN, ILOILO CITY – At the southern most part of this town lies, Maravilla Elementary School, one of the many beneficiaries of the Give Children Hope Foundation. This year the foundation launched two programs that will promote wellness and sustainability, not just for students but for the parents as well.
First of these projects is the FEEDING PROGRAM, which provides free meals for each student. The objective of this program is to provide children with healthy and nutritious meals that will sustain them all throughout the day. The teachers are happy to note that 150 children have benefited from this, so every recess time is something that they really look forward to. Parents take turns in preparing these meals for them, but if not, the teachers help each other in the kitchen. The leftovers are being sent home to the kids for them to eat and share with their families.
Sir Cyril, the school principal and Ma'am Rufina, a nursery teacher share the same observation with regards to the improvements made:
First, is that the health of their students have improved, and that cases of malnutrition have decreased significantly. Bear in mind that some students go to school without having their breakfast, the most important meal of the day.
Second is that absenteeism has also been reduced, since students will no longer have to worry about their allowance, because the school already provides them with free meals.
LONG QUEUE SAYS IT ALL. Students patiently wait for their turn to be served. Recess is something these kids look forward to.
KEEP 'EM COMING: Children help themselves with the soup. DOWN BELOW: Ma'am Rufina and Ma'am Pearlie take turns serving food.
Happy Meals, Happy Hours. Students enjoying their soups.
Another project which allows the parents of these students to get involved, is the GARDENING PROGRAM. This program helps parents sustain themselves and their families by planting vegetables that they can sell or can be brought home for them to eat. Parents have a designated area where they can plant and grow their own vegetables. They regularly tend to their garden, which consists of eggplants, okras and jutes among others. The garden currently needs replanting since most of these vegetables have already been harvested.
This program is very helpful especially during non-harvesting season where food can be scarce and parents struggle just to make ends meet.
GROW WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED (BELOW). These are just some of the vegetables that are planted in the garden.
PIGGERY:
Aside from the gardening program, the foundation also set up this project to help the school sustain itself financially by growing piglets, which can be sold later on. Sir Cyril said that this project is in it's trial stage but he's very optimistic that this project will succeed.
(ABOVE) Pigs anyone?. These pair of piglets will be fed and grown for sale, proceeds of which will go to the school and their projects.
FROM THE PARENTS:
Some parents share the same sentiments as the teachers regarding the program.
It takes half the burden from them, since they will no longer have to think about their children's allowance or taking their children with them to work in the rice fields just to earn something for the day. These parents realize how important it is for their children to go to school and learn, lest they want their children to suffer the same fate as they did. Knowing well enough that these kids can have a bright future.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL AND TEACHERS:
Sir Cyril beams with pride as he told us that one of their students placed 2nd during the Character Impersonation Contest at the District Meet. He said that joining competitions was a way for them to showcase what Maravilla Elementary School can offer and what their students are made of. These competitions are another way to bring exposure to the school.
Their lives changed because you've touched them. If help will continue to pour in, they may be able to finish school and reach for their goals. Your simple act of kindness and generosity will inspire them to do the same things for others. They couldn't be grateful enough for giving them the best quality of life possible, a life they rightfully deserved.
Maricris Sonido
GCH – Correspondent
Maravilla Elementary School
