Implementation Period: June 20 to July 8, 2022

Grant given by SCBPMM for this project: $2,865

During the visit of the FOLPMI staff in the Aeta Community in Gala, Zambales, they noticed that the school was already conducting face-to-face classes at Aningway Sacathan Elementary and High School Annex. The school teachers shared their problem of the school population's low attendance record. The teachers have difficulty getting the students to attend school because of poverty and lack of food. Some students also must work. The school director also mentioned that no matter how good their teachers are, some of the students cannot keep up with the lesson because of hunger or because they have not attended preceding classes. She noticed that when they are provided a one-day feeding program, students go to school and are very active in class discussions. Because of this, FOLPMI decided to conduct a three-week feeding program at Aningway- Sacatihan Elementary and High School Annex located at Sitio Gala, Subic, Zambales. The identified direct beneficiaries are the school's whole student population of 161 students. Aside from the students, 39 teachers and non-teaching personnel were also given meals for three weeks. Three thousand meals were provided for three weeks. In the report submitted by the school, there was a significant increase in the attendance of students. This is where sustainability of the project is important. Through additional grants and private donations, FOLPMI can run this project that was piloted by SCBPMM during the start of the school year and monitor attendance of students until the end of the school year. In partnership with the school, FOLPMI plans to improve the monitoring of the project and add student performance as a metric. This is based on the premise that children perform better at school when they do not have to think about what they or their families will eat. Aside from the student beneficiaries, excess food packs, if any, were given to undernourished children in the community that are not yet attending school.