Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

RCMN Feeding Program in FBES Main now on 7th year

By: AG/PP Tony Chong

Coming from work, the sight of some 60 smiling young faces giving you a cheerful “good morning visitor” greeting was certainly a big boast. The venue was the F. Benitez Elementary School Main in Brgy Sta. Cruz, Makati City, where six-year old kids considered as “underfed” by school authorities await their lunch for the day – composed of chicken apritada, rice and banana.

The happy occasion last July 28, was the annual re-launch of the Rotary Club of Makati North’s “Feed A Child, Build A Nation” youth/community service program which started in RY 2003-2004 with 30 students and has continued through this year, slightly increasing in number every year.

However, starting this year, Pres. Karl McLean plans to further increase coverage from the original 60 children for a 6-month period to twice its goal, – meaning double the coverage and extend the period through March 2011, making a total of 9 months.

This is being made possible with additional donations coming not only from members of the club themselves but also from certain foreign sister clubs like RC Raffles City in Singapore, RC Shah Alam in Malaysia, and RC Hongkong Island East.; and the District Designated Fund in the amount of P20,000.

As in the past, the day started with the singing of the National Anthem led by some grade 2 students who later also performed two cultural numbers for the visitors. Food was prepared by RCC volunteers and some teachers from the school and served by Rotarians led by Pres. Mac McLean, IPP Vic Austria, PP Klink Ang, PP Donnies Alas, PP Joe Reaño, PP Tony Chong, club Treasurer Robert Syjuco, club Secretary Bob Hecks, club Director Mike Kjellin and Rtn. Je Arriola.

Other participants included co-sponsors Inner Wheel Club of Makati North led by Inner Wheel International Past National President Vicky Magadia, Cynthia Magdaraog, Choi Reaño, and Nene Divinagracia; Rotary Community Corps under Ida Rafols and Ning Sibayan, Wilma Maqui, Cora & Ricky Trinidad; F. Benitez Elementary School Main led by Principal Cecilia Payumo and some volunteer teachers and parents.