Reyna wasn’t getting enough to eat. But through the support of Food Every Day donors, she’s now growing healthy and strong in the Philippines!
Four-year-old Reyna used to go without enough food.
She has grown up in an impoverished barangay — or neighborhood — near Manila. Her mom worked hard to keep food on the table, but it just wasn’t enough. Reyna wasn’t getting enough to eat — and it showed. She weighed too little for a girl her age. Like many malnourished children, Reyna became easily irritable without enough to fill her stomach. She wasn’t sleeping well at night.
When other children would play together in her neighborhood, Reyna would just sit in the doorway and watch. Her mother encouraged her to go play, but Reyna just looked on with glassy eyes.
Food Every Day in the Philippines
The turning point came when Reyna began attending a feeding center in her neighborhood. Through Holt’s local partner in the Philippines, Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, a warm meal was waiting for her each day.
She’s enjoyed local dishes such as chicken curry, tinolang manok, pork sinigang and other nutritious meals prepared at the feeding center. These meals helped improve her appetite, introduce her to vegetables and support her overall growth. Reyna has learned about washing her hands and how vegetables help her body grow strong.
The feeding center serves children in the community ages 12 and under. In addition to providing meals, the center offers nutrition workshops for parents as well as medical check-ups and medicines for children.
Reyna’s mom has stepped in to help cook at the feeding center once a week. She’s learned more about child nutrition and meal preparation, helping her care for Reyna at home.
Helping Children Grow Healthy in the Philippines
Through the support of Food Every Day donors, children in the Philippines are receiving the nutritious meals and care they need to grow healthy and strong.
For Reyna, the difference has been remarkable. In just a few months, she gained more than 4 pounds. The little girl who once sat quietly in the doorway watching other children play is now right beside them — running, laughing and joining in with energy and joy.
Her bright personality is shining through, and she’s becoming more independent each day. Reyna has even begun talking about what she wants to be when she grows up: a doctor.
Today, Reyna has the nourishment she needs to learn, play and dream about the future. And thanks to Food Every Day donors, she has the chance to enjoy what every child deserves — a healthy childhood.
You Can Help a Hungry Child
When you give Food Every Day, you not only help a child learn, play and grow — you help keep their family together.
