CEBU, Philippines - Forty students of the Leonard Wood Elementary School in barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City were treated yesterday to a free lunch thanks to the Fun Run initiated by City Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr. last Sunday at the Reclamation Area.
The undernourished children, 20 from Grade 1 and 20 from Grade 2, were earlier treated to free food by a fastfood outlet through the efforts of Mayor Jonas Cortes’ wife, Sarah.
Councilor Cortes, who celebrated his 62nd birthday yesterday, led teachers and the Parent-Teachers Association in serving lunch to the children.
Councilor Cortes also donated P10,000 to the school for its feeding program.
School principal Joverlie Canoy said these 40 children were chosen because they are the most likely to drop out of school considering they come from extremely poor families.
Canoy said the feeding program, launched three years ago, keeps children from dropping out of school. - THE FREEMAN