Author: Abegael

The Goducate Literacy Center in Lalao in Laguna, The Philippines, celebrated the Nutrition Day on July 24. The nationwide theme for Nutrition Month was “Pagkain ng Gulay Ugaliin, Araw-araw Itong Ihain.” (Get used to eating vegetables, serve it daily).

The program started with a parade of the parents, children, teachers, and visitors. The children carried small baskets loaded with different kinds of fruits and vegetables.

The nursery students then sang Bahay Kubo, a Filipino folk song about vegetables growing around a nipa hut, followed by the students from the preparatory class, who sang a song that I composed, about the nutritional value of vegetables.

The parents took part in a cooking contest. They were divided into three groups, each of which brought the foods they prepared. Judging was based on nutritional value, creativity, and on how well dishes represented Filipino food.

After a message from Leo Decinal, the Goducate Coordinator in Luzon, our guest speaker Mrs Cora Ortiz, principal of Tranca Elementary School, took the stage. She acknowledged the Goducate Literacy Center as the school’s partner in bringing good education to the children and in building up their character.

A fortnight ago parents of the children attending the Goducate Learning Center in Lalao, Laguna, were brought together to attend a session with their children. The session, called Mama and Me, was intended to emphasize to the parents the importance of good communication with their children and of teaching their children and supervising them while they do their homework and assignments. For the children, the intention was to impress on them how much their mothers love them.

The session started with me talking about the important role mothers have in building the lives of their children, which I hope gave them some encouragement. Then we went on to the games and other activities.

For any work to succeed, the laborers ought to be united and respect each other. Hence we plan to have a session at the kindergarten every month to foster good relations with the parents and impress on them the importance of their cooperation in building up the lives of their children. In other words, we want to teach them to help themselves and their own families