A thousand stories of joy

MANILA, Philippines - Ranzelle Ann Sombrero was a quiet girl, raised by her grandmother. She hardly participates in school activities and always absent due to various illnesses. Like thousands of children affected by Typhoon Yolanda, Ranzelle was traumatized by the storm surges caused by the world’s strongest tropical storm to make landfall. Thankfully there was someone looking out for her, someone who thought she deserved to experience joy in her young life.

That someone was her teacher, Villa Nacilla, at the Panalaron Central Elementary School in Tacloban. In June 2014, the school became one of the adopted Joy Schools of Mondel?z Philippines. Seeing Ranzelle’s undernourished condition, Teacher Villa made sure that Ranzelle would be part of the Joy Schools’ daily feeding program.

Turns out, those daily meals helped do wonders for Ranzelle. The daily rice, viand, fruit and snack she received for nine months helped make up for what she lacked at home. Slowly, she  became more active in class—always reciting, raising her hand to answer teachers’ questions.

Two years later, Ranzelle not only passed the 4th Grade, but was also awarded First Honor—a far cry from the timid, listless girl she used to be. Ranzelle is living proof of how with a little joy, great things can happen for the future leaders of the country.

Bringing Joy, Creating the Future. Launched in 2013 during Mondel?z Philippines’ 50th anniversary, the Joy Schools program aims to help create joyful centers of learning through interventions for nutrition, teacher training and facilities improvement. Unique in its own right, the Joy Schools aims to help turn sadness into joy for three of the most pressing problems of public elementary schools today.

Now celebrating its 52nd anniversary, the company formerly named Kraft Foods, through its strong partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), has seen more than a thousand stories of joy created with the help of its nine-month daily feeding program for undernourished students, urban gardening seminar for schools and parents, teacher values formation and skills training, as well as facilities improvement to create a conducive and joyful learning environment.

The Results of Joy. As of March 2015, 85% of its 1,064 feeding beneficiaries achieved normal nutritional status, from being undernourished. Feeding programs were found to be great motivators for attendance with 90% of students attaining perfect attendance last school year. Their constant attendance ensured they achieved and maintained above passing grades for the whole year.

Teachers in the adopted Joy Schools received exclusive training from the Ateneo Center for Educational Development and the Learning Library, while parents received training from the East West Seed Foundation and supplies to grow their own vegetables. All Joy Schools received books and sports and play equipment for their students’ enjoyment. Truly, joy was felt by everyone.

Ranzelle’s story tells us that joy cannot be donated or given. It is created together, through partnership and concern for each other.

“Two years into our Joy Schools program we have seen that the true joy comes from the passion and dedication of our partners, teachers, principals and parents,” shares Maria Cindy C. Lim, Head of Corporate Affairs of Mondel?z Philippines, which is now marking 52 years in the Philippines, “Together, we are able to help the students create joy for themselves, to write and weave these stories of joy that hopefully they will remember forever. We’ve helped create more than a thousand stories so far, and we’re eager to help write a thousand more as we continue our program this year.” 

Ranzelle’s story is also the subject of a short movie available on Mondel?z Philippines’ website, http://ph.mondelezinternational.com.