RC Cebu Gloria Maris Nourishes Brgy. Inayawan’s Children, Preventing Malnutrition One Child at a Time

“As Rotarians, we believe that nurturing the health of a child today plants the seeds for a stronger, brighter community tomorrow. This project embodies our unwavering commitment to service—because every child deserves a future filled with hope and vitality.” — Past President Gay Marie Tiu

Pale, weak, and struggling with anemia, young Zoae Sozie Fernandez’s story could have faded into the shadows of malnutrition. But in just four weeks, her transformation was remarkable: a rosier complexion, a lively appetite, and renewed energy that brought life back to her eyes. This is the vibrant result of the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris’ latest community nutrition intervention in Barangay Inayawan—a project rooted deeply in care, collaboration, and the promise of healthy futures.

Inspired to tackle childhood malnutrition head-on, The Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris launched this year's Amoma sa Kaugmaon program on October 2, 2025. Partnering with BMD Foundation, VisayasMed doctors, Barangay Health Workers, and St. Arnold Janssen Daycare teachers, the club created a weekly ritual of measuring children’s growth with pediatric digital scales, stadiometers, and standardized MUAC tapes.

Each week, volunteers prepared and shared nutritious snacks like protein banana bread with soya drinks, chocolate tablea champorado with monggo, and Aminotein choco ice candy, teaching parents not only to feed their children but to nourish their whole future. 

The active involvement of parents played a pivotal role, with many replicating these healthful meals at home, turning knowledge into lasting change.

The stories of improvement extend beyond Zoae. Lyza Beleganio gained over a kilogram in four weeks while her mother replaced junk food with wholesome meals of chicken, rice, and vegetables. Julianna Albaracin’s nearly 2-kilogram weight gain came with better motor coordination, eliminating her previous falls when running. Collectively, the children improved in weight, height, and MUAC measurements—a testament to the holistic intervention combining clinical assessments, nutrition coaching, healthy feeding demonstrations, and weekly monitoring.

This project speaks profoundly to the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris's commitment to “Service Above Self.” With over 33 years of impactful service in Cebu, the club has continuously addressed pressing community needs through innovative, results-driven programs. Childhood malnutrition strikes at the heart of future generations, touching families and communities deeply. By nurturing these children’s health and empowering their parents with knowledge, the club not only restores physical vitality but also kindles hope and stability in the community, embodying Rotary’s values and spirit of service.

The intervention aligns with Rotary’s Areas of Focus on Disease Prevention and Treatment and Maternal and Child Health. Through clinical counseling by family medicine doctors and hands-on nutrition coaching, the project protects children against the debilitating effects of malnutrition, fosters healthy growth, and reinforces sustainable health practices at home. The profound impact shown by these tangible improvements illustrates a promising pathway amid the global challenge of childhood undernutrition.

This story from Barangay Inayawan is more than just statistics and snacks—it is inspiring evidence that committed communities can rewrite the health narratives of their children. Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris’s intervention resonates as a beacon of hope, showing how targeted support, compassion, and education can transform fragile beginnings into thriving journeys.

"Four weeks can change a life," say the smiling faces of the children, growing stronger and healthier with each visit. Through unity and heart, the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris is not only nourishing bodies but also cultivating futures full of promise.

This project is close to the heart of the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris because it represents a direct and tangible response to a vulnerable population’s urgent needs—children. Rooted in decades of legacy and service in Cebu, the project embodies the club’s enduring mission to improve lives through sustainable, impactful community health initiatives.

With every child nourished and every parent empowered, the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris is not simply fighting malnutrition—they are reclaiming futures. This initiative stands as a powerful reminder that targeted, compassionate action can spark lasting change, one family at a time. In a world filled with complex challenges, it is these small victories in the community’s heart that build the foundation for a healthier, more hopeful tomorrow.