Uplifting the lives of over 6,000 undernourished children

MANILA, Philippines - One out of four pre-school Filipino children is underweight, mainly because of malnutrition. Nationwide, more than three million Filipino children are suffering from this serious health problem.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, food company CDO-Foodsphere Inc. organized Odyssey Foundation Inc. (OFI) on May 11, 2004 as a channel of aid and assistance to impoverished children. OFI’s main area of concern is the nourishment of underweight children, which is a strong manifestation of the core values of CDO-Foodsphere. It also promotes child education and development; livelihood enhancement and research; and advocacy on health and research.

OFI developed a supplemental feeding program called Gabay Buhay in its attempt to help save children from malnutrition. The program involves partnership building, baseline data gathering, training, actual feeding, and monitoring and assessment.

It was launched on June 14, 2005 in Barangay Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City. The first batch of 120 beneficiaries (baseline list coming from the city’s health office) were enrolled in a 64-day feeding program during which they received food and vitamins. By October 15, all the beneficiaries received a clean bill of health.

Since then, 11 batches of previously underweight children from 11 barangays of Valenzuela City (with 130 to 170 beneficiaries per batch), have graduated from the program with a clean bill of health, meaning their weight have been restored to normal levels. Gabay Buhay has resulted in the improved nutritional condition of more than 1,600 children beneficiaries so far.

To expand the coverage of the program, OFI partnered with several humanitarian groups. Under such partnerships, OFI shares its logistics, resources, and experiences with groups such as Sagip Kapamilya, Bantay Bata 163 Projects, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Project Matthew, He Cares Foundation, and United Laboratories Inc.

OFI also supported the programs of church organizations such as Sta. Maria Assumpta Parish Church, San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parochial School, Holy Trinity Home for Children, Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Bethlehem House of Bread, Fr. Vic Robles of St. John “The Evangelist” Parish Church, Fr. Rolyn Francisco of St. Joseph “The Worker” Parish Church, Fr. Vic Viloria of Shrine of Our Lady of Grace Parish Church and the St. Anthony’s Parish Church in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Altogether, more than 6,500 children are now healthy and well, because of the OFI supplemental feeding program and the initiatives of its partner organizations. Encouraged by the success of those initiatives over the past five years, CDO Foodsphere Inc. and OFI are committed to continue making a difference in the lives of Filipino children.