Living true to Ateneo’s motto of “Man for Others,” the Ateneo High School class of ‘65 joined hands with Class ‘61 (Grade School) and Class ‘69 (College) as it celebrated its Golden Jubilee. My class had put up the ADMU616569 Foundation to undertake projects and activities that underscore the commitment to be a “Class for Others.”
The Foundation’s flagship project is the Father Lennie Sumpaico Feeding Program for severely malnourished children from several elementary schools located in Silangan in Quezon City, Cainta and Parañaque, who are all provided a healthy lunch throughout the school year.
Lennie Sumpaico was our Jesuit classmate who passed away two years ago, and this flagship project embodies the ideals that he stood for while he was alive — compassion and the desire to be of service to others.
The flagship project, which started during the school year 2012-2013 and has continued to this date, also conducts values education and nutrition counseling with the help of volunteer parents and teachers with guidance provided by the Ateneo Center for Educational Development. ADMU616569 has donated over P5 million to benefit over 5,000 students with over 90 percent of the beneficiaries registering improved weight and health.
Aside from the feeding program, other projects include the donation of land and houses for Gawad Kalinga and the provision of agriculture livelihood initiatives to complement GK’s housing components. Regular quarterly visits are also made to ailing Jesuits, with members bringing food and cheerful music, with recollections of inspiring anecdotes on how the Jesuits have helped mold them into the individuals they have become.
Demonstrating that charity begins at home, ADMU616569 visits hospitalized members through the Benevolent Assistance Group with financial help also extended. Members also have a weekly Friday pancitan where they can reminisce about the good old days and indulge in good-natured fun and ribbing — as they celebrate friendships that have endured for 50 years.