“MAPASALAMATON kayko kay maskin usahay makasuway ko nga mabusog ko (I’m very thankful that even if rare, I get to try feeling full).”

These were the words of nine-year-old Daniel Meneses of Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City.

Daniel is one the 150 less fortunate children in Mabolo who benefitted from the feeding program led by a long-standing Cebu-based organization.

Daniel and the children from Balay Abtanan sa Kaluoy of St. Joseph Church were the beneficiaries of Kiwanis Club of Cebu’s outreach program on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

The project is part of the club’s monthly community initiatives, which include visits to the city’s poor neighborhoods to deliver aid.

According to club president Robert Alvarez, the outreach program for the children is one of the organization’s legacy projects.

“We stand and we care for the children of the world,” Alvarez told SunStar Cebu, adding that the initiative gives priority to the underprivileged children.

Aside from the feeding program, the club also engaged the children in educational activities.

Abtanan sa Kaluoy is a sanctuary for street children providing not only food and shelter, but also instilling in them moral and spiritual values under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Pat Ornopia.

The church and the group were working together to provide the children with a nurturing and educational environment at least once a month.

Kiwanis International, a 108-year-old global volunteer organization, focuses on uplifting the communities and fostering the well-being of the children.

On the other hand, the Kiwanis Club in Cebu is already in its 55th year of carrying out community initiatives.

Alvarez said they will continue serving the children as they revive one of their projects called Operation Rainbow, which will provide free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children in May of this year.