Hunger of Body and Spirit
Of the many scourges that mankind faces, one might say that hunger is the most insidious of foes. Slowly, yet with sinister certainty, hunger and malnutrition eat away not just a person's health, but also his sense of self-respect, his dignity, and finally, his faith in the mercy of God.
The Parish, however, has always believed in the virtue of "small things", and that even the smallest advancement can make a considerable difference in a person's life - and thus, even the simplest of meals can still provide sustenance to a hungry child. While it is true that many families must cope with very meager resources, it is the belief of the Parish that - as in the story of the loaves and fish - modest resources coupled with a community spirit and faith in the compassion of a Merciful God, can indeed work miracles.
And so it was that in four (4) of the most populous areas in the Parish- Umboy Riverside, Faraon Subdivision, Garcia Subdivision Slums Area, Municipal Cemetery – the Parish began its humble efforts to give a handful of hungry children a spoon of love thru a hot and nutritious meal in exchange of a cup of smile.
Let the little ones come to Me …
A day at the Hapag-mamahal at Hapag-asa Feeding Program Site will start in much the same way as an ordinary day would start in homes across the country - with some exceptions. Here, the family is slightly larger, and includes volunteers from the parish as well as the mothers of some of the children who are the young beneficiaries of the program. Amid this domestic flurry, however, the project volunteers work to teach their young guests a number of ordinary habits that have extraordinary effects.
The food at the Hapag-mamahal at Hapag-asa table is simple, yet nutritious; it would not be unusual to see a bowl of steaming misua soup, made even tastier and truly healthful by the addition of vegetables - an excellent alternative to instant noodles. Yet what makes a meal at the Hapag-mamahal at Hapag-asa table truly a feast for the spirit are the gentle lessons learned by the children who come to share these simple yet nourishing meals. To say "magandang hapon po." To wash up before eating. To sit properly at the dining table. To say a prayer of thanks before a single morsel is eaten. Courtesy. Cleanliness. Self-respect. And yes, gratitude.
In many ways, the food that was offered at the Hapag-mamahal at Hapag-asa table is nourishment not only for the body, but certainly for the soul. The Hapag-mamahal at Hapag-Asa Program aims to alleviate extreme hunger among poor children in the parish. Its four major components: supplemental feeding, health education, spiritual formation and livelihood.
Good things lasts . . .
Last October 23, 2009, the Hapag-mamahal at Hapag-asa Parish Feeding Program ended after six months of daily servings of nutritious food prepared by volunteers from the different parish organizations. It is with deep pride and joy that all the malnourished sixty (60) children beneficiaries enrolled last May 2009 are already in normal nutritional status. However, in the end of the program only 59 children were able to attend the last day because one of the beneficiaries died two weeks before the end of the program due to vehicular accident.
During the last week of the program, the children were given especially prepared meals like chicken, pasta and pork that were donated by some generous individuals. The said feeding program is now considered as the most successful social action initiatives by the Parish given the outpouring of support from different groups and the outcome of the project itself.
The heroes of the program . . .
Members of Mother Butler Guild (MBG)
Members of Catholic Women’s League (CWL)
Members of Lectors and Commentators Ministry (LCM)
Members of El Shaddai Prayer Group
Members of Parish Catechetical Ministry (PCM)
Members of Ministry of Church Greeters & Collectors (MCGC)
Security Force of Barangay San Antonio
Brgy. Capt. Eric Jimenez
Brgy. Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Rowena V. Conde
Office of the Municipal Nutrition Action Office
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office
Office of the Mayor of Binan, Laguna
Faculty & Staff of Pedro H. Escueta Memorial School
St. Michael’s College of Laguna
DSWD-Region IV-A
Kabisig ng Kalahi Foundation (Funder)
Mead Johnson Philippines
Unilever Philippines
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