Nourishing Minds and Hearts: The Transformative Power of the Hapag-Asa Feeding Program

I first learned about the Hapag-Asa Feeding Program when Caritas Masbate conducted an orientation at Lague-Lague Elementary School. When I became Principal of Malbug Elementary School, I immediately reached out to Caritas Masbate to express my intent to implement the program at our school. Their visit ignited a sense of hope in me that change and blessings would follow for our students.

The feeding program has significantly improved the nutritional status and academic performance of our schoolchildren. In a pretest conducted by the DepEd District Office, ten Grade 4–6 students were identified as non-readers. However, the post-test results showed a remarkable improvement, with zero non-readers. A separate assessment conducted in May 2024 revealed the same success among Grades 1–3, with no non-readers. These improvements can be directly attributed to the program’s impact on both school performance and attendance.

Since the implementation of the feeding program, I have not heard any complaints from parents or students about absences due to lack of food for their children. Teachers also rarely report poor attendance among children participating in the program. Now, our students are more active, healthy, bright, and cheerful.

The Assisi Development Foundation Inc. and Caritas Masbate have been instrumental in improving the nutrition of our students. Their unwavering support is deeply appreciated. “An amon po hadulumon na kag kanasing-kasing na pasasalamat sa kanila!” (We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them.)

On behalf of our school, I would also like to thank the parents, parent volunteers, teachers, school feeding coordinators, and all other stakeholders who have supported the Hapag-Asa Feeding Program. Together, these dedicated individuals and organizations help our students achieve academic excellence and personal growth, ultimately shaping them into responsible citizens and future leaders of our country. Truly, we all form one community that dedicates its strength, wisdom, and resources to the glory and honor of God.