Yesterday was our first day working with/observing the Tabitha Feeding Program.
The morning starts out with the kids coming in and taking part in a group activity like singing songs or having books read to them, while the pre-school aged children go to class. So much of the focus of the program is making sure that the children learn about hygiene and healthy bodies so each one is asked first if they had a shower within the past day. This seemed like a rude question to most of us, but I guess they are used to it now. (No, my co-workers, I will not start asking you every day now if you showered :) ). The organization of the program amazed me. I was impressed at how they had trained all the kids to follow their instruction. There were 70 or so kids ranging from babies (with mothers) to children aged 12.
Next up was the washing of hands. Each child lined up and washed their hands thoroughly while being watched by the leaders. Lunch time came after all the hard work of many ladies and the kids gobbled up their lunches. Some ate up every last morsel. You knew that was maybe all they had eaten since they were there the day before. After lunch, all the children brushed their teeth with the toothbrush with their name on it. We noticed that they liked to 'perform' for cameras so we would take lots of pictures to encourage them to keep brushing for longer!
Then all the children went home and it was time for our lunch. It all went by in a blur and we got to experience it all again today.
Guiding, training and feeding the children will (hopefully) lead to a brighter future for Agdao in Davao City.
2 comments:
so they all come for the day, and then go home to their families in the afternoon? Not an orphanage, but a place for them to eat/learn? That's cool
the kids come in the morning for what's called the Tabitha Feeding Program. there, they learn and interact with other kids and their teachers. then at the end, they receive a meal, toothbrushing, hand-washing, and basic hygiene "inspection". yes, not an orphanage, but a place where they can come and learn/play/be loved. this is just one of the things we've been doing :)
deb
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