MDFI adds a new dimension to its programs through the Tibayanihan Upcycling Project. A joint project with Nestle Philippines and the Department of Education, the project recycles Bear Brand foil packs into Tibay chairs that will be donated to classrooms in dire need of chairs.

The turnover activity at Bacood Elementary School symbolizes the concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders to provide a more conducive environment for public school learners. Altogether, MDFI is sponsoring 500 chairs in this collaborative project.

Thirty-seven students of Santolan Elementary School were brought by MDFI to Kidzania today to experience interactive and hands-on play. The students, aged 5-12, participated in various role-playing activities wherein they were given the chance to “work” in different professions. In doing so, they were exposed to the ins-and-outs of several jobs. They were also able to interact with kids from other schools in a safe and relaxed environment, thereby promoting cooperation and teamwork.

This activity is part of MDFI’s Share Joy program which helps enrich the lives of underprivileged children to gain applied knowledge and experience educational entertainment outside of the classroom.

KidSigla was launched at Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Manila today, rounding up the 2019 implementation of the program. Three other schools – Hulo Elementary School (Pililla, Rizal); Paaralang Elementarya ng Lucban 2 (Lucban, Quezon) and Tagaran Elementary School (Cauayan, Isabela) started the supplemental feeding program earlier, after the launch at Bagbaguin Elementary School (Meycauayan, Bulacqn) last August.

Altogether, 150 undernourished children are enrolled in KidSigla for this school year, with the goal of improving their nutritional status through nutritious meals to be provided for 120 days during school days. Parent-volunteers and the school faculties oversee the smooth implementation of the daily feeding activity and monitoring of height and weight for the duration of the program.

Program partners, Kabisig ng Kalahi Foundation and the Department of Education, help ensure the sustainability of the program.

Contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of promoting good health and wellbeing by reducing the maternal and neonatal mortality ratio, MDFI conducts its Smart Parenting activity teaching women about responsible parenthood, childcare, women’s health and hygiene.

Benefiting from this activity were 186 women from Valenzuela City. Aside from the lectures, free screening for blood sugar, blood pressure and bone density were also done. One of the participants, Dhang Soriano, shared, “napaka-ganda po at marami kayong natutulungan…share po namin yung aming natutunan sa mga kasama namin sa church” [it was nice that you were able to help a lot of people…will share what we’ve learned with our churchmates].

The activity is a collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Commission on Population, and the Population Management Office of Valenzuela City. Support from Asia Brewery, Colgate Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson, Medical Center Trading Corporation, Philusa and Unilever added to the success of the activity.

MDFI launched today its KidSigla supplemental feeding program at Bagbaguin Elementary School in Meycauayan, Bulacan, in partnership with the Department of Education, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Alaska Milk and Nestle.

The program will benefit 30 undernourished schoolchildren who will enjoy nutritional meals prepared for them during the school days. Their nutritional status will be monitored regularly over six months to ensure that they overcome their malnutrition and poor health for perfect school attendance.

Conducted at Caloocan High School, MDFI screened 139 residents of Caloocan City South for non-communicable diseases (NCD), identifying 75 as potential NCD cases: 39 obesity, 31 hypertension and 5 diabetes; and 81 as confirmed NCD cases: 40 obesity, 33 hypertension and 8 diabetes. All cases were referred to volunteer doctors for proper management. A lay forum provided preventive health and healthy lifestyle tips to help potential cases from progressing into full-blown cases.

The Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) NCR, Caloocan City government, healthcare professional volunteers, Mercury Drug volunteers, Colgate & Palmolive, Medical Center Trading Corp., Nestle, Pascual Consumer Healthcare and Philusa partnered with MDFI for the Bantay Kalusugan-Alamin at Sugpuin activity.

Four Pharmacy students from Emilio Aguinaldo College (Manila), University of Makati, and St. Paul University Philippines (Tuguegarao) were awarded full scholarships for school year 2019-2020. Aside from full financial support for tuition and miscellaneous school fees, MDFI will also provide each scholar with monthly allowances to cover food and transportation expenses. Photo shows the scholars with MDFI

MDFI brings 28 wards of Kuya Center for Street Children to Museo Pambata today. The children toured the educational museum where they learned more about the human body, role playing, outer space and astronomy, Philippine history and taking care of the environment. They also participated in activities such as storytelling and arts and crafts to culminate the tour.

This activity is part of MDFI’s Share Joy program which helps enrich the lives of underprivileged children to experience educational entertainment and gain applied knowledge outside of the classroom.