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

"Feed A Child, Build A Nation" Feeding Program, the beginning

By: PP Federico “Boy” S. Sevilla, Jr.

How we began…

The Foreign Sisterhood Program with the Rotary Clubs of Raffles City Singapore and Makati North was formalized on June 28, 1994 by Pres. Yoong Wah Ping and our Pres. Dickie Gonzalez in Singapore. This sisterhood agreement was paved by visits made by Joe Lombardo to our club with a presentation of bannerette at our regular meeting as well as reciprocal visits made by Vic Magdaraog to Singapore.

Rotary Village Corps of Brgy. Singkamas

The earliest club records I have of the RVC Brgy. Singkamas is 1989 ( we lost most of our records in a fire that gutted our secretariat in the early 90’s). As a Community Service activity, even then we had embarked on a supplementary feeding program for 0-6 years of age children. Malnutrition even then was identified as a major community problem.

The program as we know it today was relaunched in June 1995 with 25 Rotary scholars. Adopting the parents of the scholars as core members, RVC Brgy. Singkamas was organized. The initial challenge was to involve the parents and teachers of the children identify the problems at hand. Next was to arrive at do-able solutions in partnership with Rotary.

And so, slowly but surely, hand in hand, parents with the teachers on one side and the Rotarians and our Anns (wives) on the other, the difference in the lives of the children was indelibly made.

Allow me to recall to you how it was then in 1994. F.E. Benitez III Elementary School was a dilapidated shack made of tin roof and wood with mud floors. Outside the compound was stale water one had to negotiate to get in. Most of the houses were made of cardboard and recycled materials – the change you see now is the fruit of the migrant-workers-phenomenon of the mid 90’s when a lot of them became “maids” and contract workers to Hong Kong and your country – an economic boom of sorts that provided material comfort and benefit.

Problems Identified

Led by Aling Tameng – the tireless lady leader who met you in the school, the RVC team worked hard to identify the root problems besetting their community. I exposed them to workshops on community development and social work and with the help of a trained social worker the following key points were arrived at:

1. Through EDUCATION one gets out of POVERTY.
2. One cannot learn on an empty stomach.
3. There are people who sincerely help their fellowmen.

We worked on these key realizations and built the foundations of the program that we have today.

Evolution & Development

In RY 1998-99 as we celebrated our 25th Anniversary under the leadership of PP Ato Magadia, emphasis to expand the scholarship program at F. Benitez Elementary School III and to initiate the regular supply of breakfast at school to malnourished children aged between 7 and 12 was made.

In the following Rotary year, Community Service Director Joe Reaño rallied the club to continue the feeding program – paving the way to more commitment in our club to make this a “FLAGSHIP PROJECT”.

In Rotary Year 2000-2001, Pres. Boy Ampil supported by a group of Past Presidents provided a continuation of the feeding program for the children.

In my term RY 2001-2002, I worked to structure the program and make it a model for the Rotary world – hoping that it would make other organizations support this project. I targeted our sister clubs both local and foreign as well as other foundations like the Shigeo Takayama Foundation. A formal proposal was also sent to the United States Department of Food Administration (USDFA).

Activity Budgets:

We estimate that we can deliver a nutritious supplementary breakfast/snack daily for P10,000.00 (US$186.00) per week. This covers the cost of ingredients only. Only a minimal administrative expense will be borne by the program. 22 to 25 continuous school feeding weeks will be the target for this school year commencing on August 13, 2003. All food preparation and serving will be on a volunteer basis. Feeding is undertaken during school days only at the school premises.

Over 200 Grade One pupils will receive heavy nutritious breakfast every Mondays and Fridays – to supplement their weekends out of school. During Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, they will get nutritious supplementary snacks.

Close to 100 malnourished children from various grade levels will receive daily food supplements as mandated by their condition as monitored by the school nurse.

Partners In Service

With just one visit made by the Rotary Club of Raffles City Singapore last October 2002, a contribution of P30,000 was made as a sign of initial commitment to this worthy project. The visit made this year as we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of our club further forged this commitment.

PP Jimmy Daruwalla expressed the sentiments of the group so sincerely to me when he confided –“We are with you in the good you are doing to these children.” I know your hearts were touched as you spontaneously made your love offering of US$1,100.00 for “FEED A CHILD – BUILD A NATION”. I know why you have asked for this comprehensive report so your fellow Rotarians may know the good that we all can do for these little angels here in FE Benitez Elementary School III, Brgy. Singkamas. These are our Rotary Scholars, the future of our nation.