“Strong family ties” is one of the most treasured traits among Filipinos. Many Filipinos are still practicing this trait even at these very modern times and economic realities. This trait is very prevalent in rural communities.
In our supplemental feeding in Marilog last December 10, 2016, we found a very poor and struggling family among the participants, headed by an elderly man named “Mang Lando”.
Mang Lando, whose roots can be traced from the native tribe Matigsalog, assumes the role of a father and a mother for his two grandsons, Bebot and Brixboy. He takes care of feeding his two grand children and sending them to school while their mother (Mang Lando’s daughter) left for the city in search of better opportunities.
“Dugay na ni sila gibilin sa akoa. Ila mama naka-iskwela man tu high school, ngita trabaho sa syudad. (It’s been a while since their mom left them. Their mother just finished high school and looked for a job in the city),” explained Mang Lando.
Join the cause. #FightMalnutrition in young children thru #supplementalFeeding. @u4hkPH #supportCJFI Click To TweetMang Lando is 65 years of age but is still working on his farm to make a living. He plants various vegetables as his main crop. Out of his produce which he sells to “compradors” or buyers, he gets a portion of it to buy rice, viand and basic needs for him and for his two grandsons.
His two grandsons are recipients of the feeding program conducted by Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. Mang Lando said, “Lipay ko ani inyo programa na feeding tungod dako tabang para sa mga bata diri. (I am very happy with your feeding program, it helps the children a lot).”
“Tungod lisod amo panginabuhi, maglisod mi paghatag sa mga bata gagmay sa pagkaon na kompleto ang sustansya. (Because of our life’s struggles and hardships, it’s hard for us to provide nutritious food for our small kids),” he added.
CJFI’s supplemental feeding program complemented with the “Pinggang Pinoy” of the Philippine Government, a food plate for Filipinos designed to meet the basic nutritional requirements for Filipino children and adults. The food plate contains cooked rice, meat or fish, vegetables and fruits.
“Pasalamat gyod ko dako sa inyo. Layo man kaayo among lugar, lisod pa ang dalan, pero padayon gihapon mo sa inyo programa para sa amo mga bata. Dako gyud kaayo tabang inyo programa. Ako manghinaut na dili mo mo-undang pagtabang diri. (Thank you so much. Our village is very far and the roads are difficult for travel, but you continued your program for our children. Your program helps a lot. I hope that you will not stop helping us),” Mang Lando said.
Mang Lando is very thankful to CJFI for reaching out to their village and implementing the supplemental feeding program. Although the village is located within the mountainous part of Marilog in Davao del Sur, CJFI continued its efforts to sustain the feeding program in the village helping the young Matigsalog kids.
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