When my grandparents started the school 44 years ago, the farm kids not only studied for free but they were also provided with free meals. I know of several students who work after school selling pork barbecue and the like just so that they can have money for lunch in school. There are even students who go without lunch! And many just skip breakfast and eat rice and dried fish for lunch and dinner every single day! That's not very healthy! The foundation realized that what good would our scholarship program be if the free education being given to the children is wasted on empty stomachs! These students can’t concentrate and study well if they are HUNGRY or MALNOURISHED!
Hence, the Food Program was “brought back” in October of last year where we provide daily free lunch viand to 135 scholars from 1st grade to 4th year high school. Mothers take turn in preparing and cooking different nutritious meal each day. Vegetables and meat are sourced from different backyard growers so the program as well provides an extra source of income for the families in the farm. An average meal costs Php5 or US$0.12. We are hoping to generate more funds for the program next school year to include rice and some fruits / snack food. The program is also planning to let the students grow some of the vegetables in the school garden to help further bring down the cost and feed more children!
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