Breaking the poverty cycle is a continuing undertaking in the country, for the simple reason that it deprives the poor their right not only to have the basics of good health, but the right to good health and quality of life, as well as the opportunity to become productive members of their communities.
Sadly, children are most affected by this condition as inadequate family income brings less amount of food on the table. The food further gets divided in smaller portions to feed and accommodate the entire family, which makes children contend for quantity, much less quality of food. These factors generally contribute to poor health, manifested by malnutrition, susceptibility to illnesses and poor performance of children in schools. Region XII is no exception to this condition.
In year 2007, Mahintana, in partnership with Dole Philippines, Inc. and various stakeholders, implemented the Kalusugan para sa Kabataan (KPK) Project in Sarangani Province, to help reduce the malnutrition rate and prevalence in three (3) of its adopted schools. This initiative benefitted 304 school children through activities tailored to address the concerns of both children-beneficiaries and their parents. Preschool and school children received Health Kits and underwent Deworming and case detection of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) while parents received Health Classes focused on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and Malaria prevention and control.
