ACED partners with Metrobank Foundation to improve education outcomes

The Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) partnered with Metrobank Foundation for a Food Augmentation Program that ran from June 2021 to July 2022. The Food Augmentation Program was both an anti-hunger initiative and an educational intervention that sought to address hunger and malnutrition in order to help the beneficiaries complete their studies successfully. Through the support of Metrobank Foundation, Inc, food packs were given to 100 high school students from Bagong Silangan High School. These weekly food packs contained mostly root crops,  vegetables, and fruits sourced directly from various farmers in Luzon. 

Based on the end-of-program report submitted by ACED to Metrobank Foundation, all beneficiaries had passing grades in the 4th quarter of the school year and were promoted to the next grade level. Grades improved for a majority of the beneficiaries. Teachers also noted an improvement in the students’ diligence, participation, and motivation  in their lessons. Parents said  that their children had noticeable physical improvements, better appetite and overall health. The beneficiaries found this program helped their families especially in terms of the family budget, assured them of daily nutritious meals, and also helped the children attend to their studies. A beneficiary’s mother, Zarra Vinar said, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Metrobank Foundation, Inc. at sa ACED sa malaking tulong po ninyo sa aming pamilya lalong-lalo na sa aking anak dahil nakakakain siya ng mga masusutansyang gulay. Nakakabawas din sa aming gastuhin yung mga binibigay po ninyo sa katulad namin na di kalakihan yung sweldo.”

This Food Augmentation Program is part of a larger initiative by ACED to feed as many stunted or malnourished public school students to improve educational outcomes with the support of donors and partners like Metrobank Foundation.

See the ACED-Metrobank Foundation Food Augmentation Program Report below: