40 school pupils benefit from feeding program

Education officials and parents’ organization of a public school in Mandaue City pursued the feeding program for the 40 identified undernourished pupils after seeing good results.

“After three years of feeding program, we have observed that the beneficiaries have perfect attendance and their grades improved,” said Joverlie Canoy, principal of Leonard Wood Elementary School in barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

Canoy said they chose the grade 1 and grade 2 pupils since they come from poor families and they are candidates for dropouts.

City Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr., chairman of the committee on education, gave P10,000 for the resumption of the daily luncheon feeding program.

The program was originally supported by a fast-food chain and was lately turned over to them.

To raise funds for the project, Cortes organized a fun run last Sunday, which generated a big turnout.

Cortes, who just celebrated his 62nd birthday, led the education officials and Parents-Teachers Association in giving lunch for 20 grade 1 and another 20 grade 2 pupils.

One parent was elated and was involved in preparing the food.

“I volunteer myself to cook once a week to let my daughter know that I care for her,” said Anna, mother of Jonnel, 10 years old, a grade 2 pupil and one of the beneficiaries.

She added that her daughter who used to be a dropout now religiously attends her classes. She said she now reached the normal weight of 30 kilos for her age.